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The Rays are currently 3-0 against the American League West following their sweep of the Angels in Los Angeles, and now they have sights set on the Seattle Mariners, who currently sit atop of their division at 18-13, cling to a half game lead over the Texas Rangers. The Rays have now won four in a row, and are two and half games out of first place.
The Mariners have been on a roll as of late, led by their highly paid second baseman, Robinson Cano who just won AL Player of the Week honors, and who also always seems to hit well against the Rays. The Mariners haven't suffered a series defeat over their past seven series. After starting the year at 2-6, the Mariners are 16-7 since then.
Today's Starting Pitchers:
| 2016 | W | L | IP | GS | ERA | FIP | K% | BB% | HR | AVG | BABIP | fWAR |
| Matt Moore | 1 | 3 | 36.1 | 6 | 4.95 | 4.18 | 24.2% | 6.5% | 6 | .241 | .286 | 0.3 |
| Felix Hernandez | 2 | 2 | 36.2 | 6 | 2.21 | 4.11 | 18.5% | 11.5% | 3 | .203 | .236 | 0.3 |
Contrary to what had been a popular thought among media outlets, Matt Moore's turn in the rotation wasn't skipped, it was just moved to take advantage of the Mariner's troubles against left-handed pitching. Moore did struggle his last time out, allowing seven runs on eight hits in just over four innings and picking up his third loss of the year.
Felix Hernandez Scouting Report:
King Felix has gotten off to an odd start in 2016. His ERA and opponent average would suggest he's his usual unhittable self, but he's not putting up the type of performances that fans have come accustomed to seeing from the former Cy Young winner. His FIP is north of four, while he's walking more hitters, and striking out fewer than he's averaged over his career. His last time out was disastrous, as he completed just four innings and allowed eight runs -- four earned -- nine hits. While he didn't walk anyone, he only recorded one strikeout as he received a no-decision.
His Arsenal:
| PITCH | AVG. VELO. | FREQUENCY | vs LHB | vs RHB |
| Fastball | 90.7 MPH |
15.6% vs LHB *** 15.1% vs RHB |
Tends to stay around the hands, or low and away in the zone | Middle-away, at belt level |
| Sinker | 90.4 MPG |
30.8% vs LHB *** 22.9% vs RHB |
Paints the outside corner | Anywhere, at waist level or below in the zone |
| Cutter | 90.3 MPH |
1.3% vs LHB *** 1.8% vs RHB |
Sporadic | Sporadic |
| Change-up | 87.3 MPH |
23.4% vs LHB *** 28.2% vs RHB |
Anywhere below the zone | Anywhere below the zone |
| Slider | 84.2 MPH |
0.2% vs LHB *** 15.1% vs RHB |
Rarely uses | Sweeps it through the zone, ending low and off the plate |
| Curveball | 79.7 MPH |
28.6% vs LHB *** 16.7% vs RHB |
Drops it through the bottom of the zone, sometimes inside | Low and away from the zone |
His Splits:
| 2016 | TBF | wOBA | AVG | OBP | SLG | HR | K% | BB% |
| vs LHB | 91 | .288 | .225 | .319 | .313 | 1 | 17.6% | 12.1% |
| vs RHB | 66 | .264 | .172 | .277 | .298 | 2 | 19.7% | 10.6% |
| HOME | 55 | .202 | .160 | .241 | .184 | 0 | 25.5% | 9.1% |
| AWAY | 102 | .318 | .227 | .333 | .375 | 3 | 14.7% | 12.8% |
Tonight's Lineups:
#Rays lineup: Forsythe 2b, Miller ss, Longoria 3b, Corey Dickerson dh, Souza rf, Morrison 1b, Guyer lf, Kiermaier cf, Conger c, Moore p
— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) May 9, 2016
Lineup vs the Rays: Aoki 7 Marte 6 Cano 4 Cruz DH Gutierrez 9 Seager 5 Iannetta 2 Lee 3 Martin 8 Felix
— Shannon Drayer (@shannondrayer) May 9, 2016