The Seattle Mariners look to start a new winning streak tonight against the Minnesota Twins. Well, I guess they'd be looking to start a new streak tomorrow should they win tonight, if you want to get all technical about it.
One thing going for the M's is that the Twinkies will be without catcher Joe Maurer for at least the first two games of the four-game series, as he remains on paternity leave after his wife gave birth to twins recently.
Kevin Correia comes into tonight's tilt with fairly unimpressive numbers. You'll be shocked to learn that, as a pitcher for the Minnesota Twins, Correia pitches to contact at a good clip, doesn't strike many out and also doesn't walk many.
Hisashi Iwakuma tried to scare us heading into the all-star break -- a five game winless streak that saw him give up 10 dingers -- but he's got things back on track in his last two starts. He'll look to earn his third win in a row and get his ERA all sparkly and below 3.00 again.
In three career starts against the Twins (20 2/3 innings), Kuma has yet to yield an earned run. He won all three contests and struck out 15 batters while only walking seven.
Lineups
1. Brian Dozier (R) 2B
1. Brad Miller (L) SS
A pre-game question for you all: After earning AL Player of the Week honors, Brad Miller is still looking for his first hit after 12 trips to the plate this week. How much further would you be willing to see him slide before you move him out of the lead off spot until he gets rolling again? One more game? Two? Never, because he's that damn awesome?