Seattle at Minnesota

Seattle is a .500 ballclub at home. But, this game isn't in Seattle. On the road the Mariners are another story. They are 8-14 away from home this year and 5-20 the last two years on the road vs. very good pitchers with a WHIP of 1.200 or better (more on that later). Of late they are allolwing 6.6 runs per game (over their last seven games) and they do not fare well against left-handed starters. They are 5-12, scoring 3.2 runs per game vs. southpaws this season. And they aren't facing just any lefty today. Minnesota puts their ace, Johan Santana on the mound for the sweep. Against the Mariners, Santana is 5-1 with a 3.00 ERA in 12 games. Santana is solid and consistent. He goes nearly 7 innnings per game and has a 3.15 home ERA (2.86 over his last three starts). Joel Piniero goes for Seattle and he's got a 5.25 overall ERA and has gotten shelled to the tune of 16 earned runs in 14 innings over his last three starts. If by some weird chance Santana can't go deep here, no worries. Minnesota's bullpen has a 3.00 ERA and 1.200 WHIP at home this season. The Twinkies are 9-2 vs. Seattle in games played here over the past three seasons. Minnesota big here.