Seattle Mariners vs. Tampa Bay Rays Predictions, Picks and MLB Preview – June 16, 2016

It’s lefty versus lefty later this afternoon, when the Seattle Mariners send James Paxton on the mound for their series finale against the Tampa Bay Rays, who’ll be countering with their promising young hurler, Blake Snell. Will the Mariners find success with Paxton, or will Snell lead the Rays to victory?

Read on below for a detailed look at this American League showdown. And while you’re at it, don’t forget to check out our preview of the New York Yankees and Minnesota Twins.

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Seattle Mariners vs. Tampa Bay Rays Betting Preview

Where: Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg, FL

When: Thursday, June 16, 2016, 1:10 PM ET

Line: Seattle Mariners (-105) vs. Tampa Bay Rays (-105); total: 7.5 – view all MLB lines

TV Broadcast: RTNW

Betting on the Seattle Mariners (34-31)

The Seattle Mariners have to be feeling good about James Paxton (0-2, 2.25 ERA) getting the nod in today’s series finale versus the Tampa Bay Rays. He’s done a splendid job in filling the spot of the injured Felix Hernandez, allowing just one earned run and 11 hits with 17 strikeouts in his previous two starts.

Another reason to be optimistic about Paxton is the fact that he beat the Rays during his MLB debut in 2013. The 27-year-old southpaw logged in six innings of one-run ball to lead the Mariners to victory. That was also his only career start opposite Tampa Bay.

Meanwhile, expect either Nelson Cruz or Robinson Cano to raise a lot of eye brows at the plate. Those two are holding really hot bats right now.

Cruz, who leads the team in batting (.300), OBP (.387) and hits (79) this season, enters this game hoping to extend his hitting streak to seven games. Cano, on the other hand, is looking to stretch his own streak to five games. He also carries team-highs of 18 homers and 51 runs batted in.

The Mariners are 4-6 SU in their last 10 road games. They are also priced at +275 to win the AL West division.

Betting on the Tampa Bay Rays (31-32)

Going on the mound for the Tampa Bay Rays is Blake Snell (0-0, 1.80 ERA). He’s one of the team’s top prospects and is set to make his second major league start after being recalled from Triple-A Durham just a couple of days ago.

During Snell’s previous and only start this season, he registered five innings of one-run ball and tallied a total of six strikeouts. The 23-year-old righty also punched in 13 K’s in his most recent start with Durham last week.

Well, no matter how well or poorly Snell pitches later, the Rays, who are priced at +1,500 to win the AL East division, need to make their contributions on offense, too. Hence, the combo of Evan Longoria and Steven Souza Jr. better produce some timely runs at the plate.

Longoria boasts team-highs of .278 BA, 16 homers, 40 runs batted in, .335 OBP and 69 hits this season. He’s also 12-of-39 with one double, six home runs and 11 RBIs in his past 10 outings. Souza Jr., meanwhile, has gone 3-of-10 with one double and an RBI in his last three games.

Tampa Bay is 5-5 SU in its previous 10 games at Tropicana Field.

Writer’s Prediction

Mariners (-105) win it, 6-2.