The Detroit Tigers come into Seattle having lost 2 of 3 in Oakland. They are now just 1 game in front of very hot Chicago. The Mariners have lost 4-4 and are now just 5-5 over their last 10. The Angels came in and cooled their jets by sweeping them. Seattle finds themselves basically 4 games behind Oakland and in a crucial series. Last night Oakland beat LA. Should Seattle have an off series, they could end up being 5-7 games behind Oakland by the All Star break.

Considering that Seattle was just 1 game out last week, this would be a huge meltdown. Detroit comes into Seattle as a -145 favorite. The Mariners are sitting at +135. The under/over for tonight’s game is 8.5. The Mariners will be looking to score some runs and Detroit is anxious to get out in front early.

Tonight the Detroit Tigers are sending Jeremy Bonderman to the mound. He has a 3.65 ERA overall, but a 2.88 ERA on the road. His best month was June. In June, he had a 1.77 ERA and dominated in 5 starts. July has started out pretty well. His lone July outing was at Pittsburgh. He lasted 5 innings and gave up 2 runs from 8 baserunners. The inning count was a bit surprising since he normally gives 7 inning per start on average.

The Mariners have Joel Pineiro going tonight. His ERA is a high 5.86. He actually finds a way to pitch worse in pitcher friendly Safeco Field. His home ERA is 6.35. Pineiro is off to a really poor start in July. On the first, he lasted just 2.2 innings against the Rockies. He gave up 7 runs over 9 innings in that appearance. On the third, he was called in relief to face one batter and got him out.