Los Angeles at Seattle

The Angels are a night and day team once they leave Anaheim. They leave behind their 44-20 mark at home, for a mediocre 32-34 mark on the road. Seattle works the same way. They have compiled a terrific 41-24 mark at home. John Lackey has hit the wall. He has allowed nine or more hits in each of his last four starts, or 39 in 25.2 innings. To put that in perspective, Lackey allowed nine hits or more just two times in his first 22 starts! The Mariners are 15-8 the last 23 times Batista has taken the hill. Batista was pounded for eight earned runs in his last start, but that is when he has been at his best. There have been five occasions when Batista has allowed 5+ runs in a start this season, and he has followed it up by allowing 3, 2, 1, 0 and 0 runs in his next start! He has been a great bounce-back starter. His ERA after allowing 5+ is 1.92. We will ride the M's as they try to displace Anaheim for the AL West lead.