The visiting Seattle Mariners will attempt to outmuscle the Boston Red Sox on Tuesday when the teams begin a three-game series.
Seattle has homered 13 times during its last six games and has 32 homers this season, good for fifth among MLB teams entering Monday. Cal Raleigh has homered a team-high nine times, and Rowdy Tellez homered in every game when Seattle won twice in a three-games series at Toronto over the weekend.
“The long ball has been carrying us a little bit,” Mariners manager Dan Wilson said. “But I think we’ve also been in these games where we’ve had a lot of close games late — the last game in Cincinnati, (Saturday’s) game (an 8-4 win in 12 innings), where we’ve also had to put some at-bats together.”
Seattle has a 12-6 record when it hits at least one home run. The Mariners are 0-4 when they don’t homer.
“Guys are getting good swings on the ball,” Wilson said. “They’re seeing it well and it’s been a really good stretch for the long ball.”
Seattle will be trying to win its fifth straight series. The Mariners are 4-2 on their nine-game road trip and have won nine of their 12 games since a 3-7 start.
Boston has won five of its last six, including Monday’s 4-2 victory over the Chicago White Sox that clinched a four-game series win.
Boston right-hander Brayan Bello, the team’s Opening Day starter in 2024, will be activated to make his first start of the season Tuesday. He showed up to spring training with inflammation in his right shoulder.
“Oh, it helps,” Red Sox manager Alex Cora said. “You know, we’ve been two guys down. The other (starting pitchers) have done a good job, but he’s obviously a big part of what we’re trying to accomplish.
“Velocity’s up, which is very important for us. The action of his pitches are good, and we know what he can do. You know, obviously a tough team (in Seattle), but everyone’s a tough team in the big leagues, you know? But it’s a tough lineup — use your mix, and hopefully we can get five (innings) out of him and move on to the bullpen. But I’m excited about him.”
Bello, 25, posted a 14-8 record with a 4.49 ERA last season, when he was much more effective after the All-Star break. He was 10-5 with a 5.16 ERA in his first 21 starts but went 4-3 with a 3.02 ERA in his final nine starts.
“He learned a lot throughout the season,” Cora said. “Didn’t start as well. We reintroduced the four-seamer for lefties. I think that was very important, and he learned how to use it.
“Changed speeds, velocity was good throughout the season. And for him to go, you know, 30-plus starts, I think it was, right? That was very important. And now he understands, so just go out there and pitch. That’s the most important thing. Don’t try to overdo it, especially with the first one. Just get your reps, see how he goes. But like I said before, I’m happy that he’s back.”
Bello is 3-0 with a 3.63 ERA in four career starts against Seattle.
The Mariners are expected to have righty Bryce Miller (1-2, 3.43) on the mound. Miller is 0-2 with an 8.44 ERA in two career starts against the Red Sox. He’s won his last two starts, allowing just one run and five hits over 10 innings while striking out 13 and walking five.
–Field Level Media
