Mariners vs Cubs Pick: M’s Try to Build on Recent Spurt (Jun 21)

• Our Mariners vs Cubs pick analyzes Seattle trying to build on its warm streak and cut the gap with the Astros in the AL West
• Seattle (38-36, 2nd place in the AL West) starts Emerson Hancock
• Chicago (45-30, 1st place in the NL Central) starts Cade Horton
• The Mariners recently DFA’d veteran 1st baseman Rowdy Tellez

M’s Have Won 5 of 7 After 3-Week Stumble

On May 21, the Mariners were 28-20 and 3.5 games in first place in the AL West. Since then, they have gone 10-15 and have fallen well behind the Astros in the division. That looks better than it otherwise would since they have won five of their last seven games.

They have struggled, in part, due to starting pitcher injuries. They recently got key starters George Kirby and Logan Gilbert back. Still, they have issues to address if they want to be a playoff team.

After winning the first game of the Cubs series, they turn to righty Emerson Hancock. In 12 starts, he has a 4.48 ERA, allowing 31 earned runs in 62.1 innings. He has surrendered 65 hits and 10 home runs, striking out 45 and walking 21.

Against Hancock, the Cubs’ Seiya Suzuki is 1 for 3 with a home run. Michael Busch is 1 for 2 with a single. Dansby Swanson is 1 for 2 with a single.

Seattle recently moved on from erstwhile first baseman Rowdy Tellez by designating him for assignment. What exactly did Mariners President of Baseball Operations Jerry Dipoto and his staff expect when they signed Tellez to be their primary first baseman? He wasn’t in demand, agreed to a one-year, $1.5 million deal, and had one big power year with 35 homers in 2022 for the Brewers.

In 2024 for the Pirates, he had a .691 OPS and 13 home runs. His production was similar for the Mariners, begging the question of why they waited so long before moving on. They could find someone, somewhere, to provide the same numbers Tellez was providing.

Cal Raleigh continues his march to a top-3 MVP finish with 29 homers and a 1.025 OPS. J.P. Crawford has an .809 OPS. Apart from those two bats, the M’s have had a popgun offense.

Cubs Have Held Onto 1st Place Since Early April

Despite the 9-4 loss to the Mariners in the series opener, the Cubs maintain their reasonably comfortable lead in the NL Central, having been one of the most consistent teams in MLB this season. They send Cade Horton to the mound to face Seattle.

The rookie righty Horton is making an early Rookie of the Year case. In 7 appearances (6 starts), he’s posted a 3.47 ERA, allowing 36 hits in 36.1 innings. He’s given up 14 earned runs, walked 8, and struck out 29. He has never faced the Mariners.

Pete-Crow Armstrong continues his unexpected offensive outburst with an .855 OPS and 20 home runs to go with 23 stolen bases in 26 attempts. Suzuki has an .842 OPS and 18 homers. Dansby Swanson’s batting average is rising after a woeful start. He has 14 homers and a .720 OPS. Kyle Tucker has slowed down after a volcanic start, but still has a .908 OPS, 13 home runs, and 18 stolen bases in 19 attempts.

The Cubs’ bullpen has been excellent.

Mariners vs Cubs Pick: Chicago Rebounds to Take the Second Game of the Series

Despite their recent burst, the Mariners’ offense is still struggling. Horton has been very good this season, and the Cubs’ offense can bash. Chicago will even the series at Wrigley behind its rookie righty.