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Well if yesterday wasn't the most agonizing off-day ever I don't know what was. The Mariners are extremely fun to watch right now and the excitement in the Seattle area (I can't speak for anywhere else) is pretty real. Love it while it lasts, everyone. This might be the season people reminisce about years down the line.
However, this game today might not be so easily won. Chris Sale is putting together a season worthy of Cy Young Award consideration with a 2.30/2.72/2.95* line in 12 starts so far this year. Furthermore, lefties tend to struggle quite a bit against Sale. Over the course of his career, Sale has allowed a .230 wOBA to left-handers (about the equivalent of 2011-2012 Chone Figgins). To say the M's face an uphill challenge with the bats is an understatement.
Fortunately, the M's pitching this year has been good enough to keep them in pretty much any game. Today they send lefty Roenis Elias to the hill. Depending on which Elias shows up today, we could see quite the pitcher's duel today.
Here's some news while you're getting ready for the game:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>James Paxton threw 52-pitch bullpen session, said he felt great and will throw two-inning sim game Monday in Seattle.</p>— Greg Johns (@GregJohnsMLB) <a href="https://twitter.com/GregJohnsMLB/statuses/485161730730106882">July 4, 2014</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Heard yesterday that <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Mariners?src=hash">#Mariners</a> are targeting RH bats at the deadline. Viciedo, who they've liked since 2012, fits. <a href="http://t.co/iiOo9ALQOd">http://t.co/iiOo9ALQOd</a></p>— Chris Cotillo (@ChrisCotillo) <a href="https://twitter.com/ChrisCotillo/statuses/485134621500538880">July 4, 2014</a></blockquote>
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Game Info
- Seattle Mariners @ Chicago White Sox, 4:10pm PT
- The game will be televised on ROOT Sports and broadcast on 710 ESPN
- Corey Hart is back from his rehab stint and in the lineup today, batting fourth
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*For those who don't know, these numbers represent the pitcher's ERA/FIP/xFIP stats