Series Preview: Blue Jays at Seattle Mariners

The last time Toronto played Seattle, the Blue Jays swept the Mariners in a four-game series at Rogers Centre from May 11-14. Both teams will meet again for a three-game series at Safeco Field.

Toronto (29-31) avoided a sweep at the hands of the Oakland Athletics, and Seattle (30-30) is finding ways to stay at the .500 mark.

The Blue Jays and Mariners are having similar seasons as they are trying to find ways to win despite a number of injuries both teams have been plagued with.

In the meantime, the Mariners will look to get even against the Blue Jays after they were swept in Toronto. It’s worth noting that thousands of passionate Blue Jay fans from western Canada will cross the border to Seattle to watch their beloved Blue Jays.

What You Need To Know

TV: Sportsnet

Radio: Sportsnet 590 The FAN

Probable Starters

Friday, June 9 10:10 p.m. ET

RHP Joe Biagini (1-4, 3.31 ERA) vs. RHP Sam Gaviglio (2-1, 3-13 ERA)

Biagini looked vigorous on the mound in his last start on June 3rd. He allowed one earned run on 100 pitches thrown in seven innings. It will be Biagini’s seventh start since joining the rotation.

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Gaviglio won his last two starts against the Colorado Rockies and the Tampa Bay Rays. Since moving into the Mariner’s starting rotation, he’s allowed one run on seven hits in 10 innings pitched over his previous two starts at Safeco Field.

Saturday, June 10 10:10 p.m. ET

RHP Marcus Stroman (6-2, 3.50 ERA) vs. LHP Ariel Miranda (6-2, 3.74 ERA)

Stroman continues to be the Blue Jays most consistent pitcher. He hasn’t lost a decision since April 18, and allowed more than two walks just twice in 12 starts this season.

Miranda has been a consistent starter among the Mariners injury prone pitchers. With a 6-2 record and a 3.74 ERA, the lefty is fresh off his first complete game. Allowing four hits in a 7-1 victory against the Rays.

Sunday, June 11 4:10 p.m. ET

LHP J.A. Happ (0-4, 5.33 ERA) vs. LHP James Paxton (5-0, 1.69 ERA)

Happ has struggled in his two starts since coming off the DL with left elbow soreness. He’s allowed seven earned runs on seven hits while striking out seven in those starts.

Paxton, who was born in Lander, BC, has won seven straight starts, including two from last season. The “Big Maple”  has a profound ERA of 1.69 and a 5-0 record. That’s also including a four-week stint on the DL.

https://twitter.com/BlueJays/status/872601939548229632

Players To Watch

Josh Donaldson and Nelson Cruz

Both power hitters are swinging hot bats this month.

Donaldson’s slash line in the past seven games is .320/.452/.880. The “Bringer of Rain” also has four home runs and six RBI in that span.

For Cruz, he was off to a sluggish start at the beginning of the season. But like Donaldson, he’s starting to heat up. Cruz’s slash line is .571/.647/1.143 in June along with two home runs and four RBI.

Next: Blue Jays: Will Smoak be this year's Michael Saunders?

Toronto will have a chance at being at the .500 mark for the first time this season with the support of the fans north of the border. The Blue Jays will wrap up the road on Sunday then head back to the Rogers Centre for a two-game series against the Rays on June 13.