Seattle at Oakland

Seattle has quietly won four in a row, but this is still a weak all around team. They wind up a 10-game road trip here, and the Mariners are 16-35 following a win. Seattle ranks 23rd in runs scored and 21st in on-base percentage. Slugger Nelson Cruz missed his third straight game Saturday because of a quad injury and is still not 100%. Mariners 34-year-old starter Hisashi Iwakuma (4.22 ERA) struggled with his command while allowing two runs, seven hits, and four walks in 5+ innings his last start. He faced Oakland two weeks ago and lost 11-5, allowing seven runs in 4+ innings for a 13.50 ERA against them in 2015. That outing dropped Iwakuma to 4-5 with a 4.78 ERA in nine appearances (eight starts) versus the Athletics. Seattle is 4-11 against a left-handed starter and has never seen southpaw Sean Nolin. He was recalled from Triple-A Nashville on Tuesday after putting up a 2.66 ERA in 14 games (12 starts) covering 47+ innings. Oakland is 7-2 as a home underdog and holds all the cards against the road weary Mariners. Play Oakland.