Kirby vs. Springs: Two Struggling Clubs Meet at Sutter Health Park
Neither the Seattle Mariners (69-78) nor the Athletics (59-88) are playing for much beyond pride at this point in September, but Friday night's 9:40 PM ET matchup at Sutter Health Park still has real storylines worth tracking. Our model doesn't have a validated read on this one — so instead of a prediction, let's focus on what the numbers actually tell us.
George Kirby is expected to start for Seattle, while Jeffrey Springs is set to take the mound for Oakland. Two teams this deep in the loss column don't generate a lot of buzz in mid-September, but the pitching matchup gives this game some shape. Kirby has been one of the more watchable arms in the American League when he's on, and Springs has shown flashes of competitiveness. Whether either guy has anything left to prove this season is a fair question, but arm-versus-lineup matchups still matter even in garbage time.
On the Seattle side, Randy Arozarena is the player to watch — full stop. He's hitting .272 with 22 home runs and 67 RBI on the season, making him the clear offensive engine for a Mariners club that hasn't given its fans much to celebrate. Arozarena has the kind of profile that can single-handedly change a game, and against a 59-88 Athletics squad, he'll have opportunities. For Oakland, the offensive picture is more distributed. Jeff McNeil leads the club in batting average at .268 and RBI at 53, while Zack Gelof paces the team with 17 home runs. McNeil's contact ability could be a factor against Kirby if Seattle's starter isn't locating his pitches early.
Honestly, this is a matchup between two teams that have already been eliminated from meaningful contention, and our model doesn't have enough confidence to issue a directional call tonight. What I will say: Arozarena's combination of average and power gives Seattle a tangible edge in run-creation potential, and Kirby — when right — is a difficult assignment for any lineup, let alone one that's won fewer than 60 games. Watch how Springs handles Arozarena in their first encounter. That at-bat may tell you everything you need to know about how this night unfolds.