#pitching-matchups

#pitching-matchups

Silver Boot series kicks off with huge implications: The American League west is the tightest division in the majors. The Mariners took over the top spot this weekend and currently sit one game clear of the Astros. That leaves Houston in possession of the final A.L. Wild Card spot but the Rangers are just two games behind them. The Rangers are in Houston for three games starting tonight for a series that should play a huge role in the A.L. playoff picture.

Rookie Luis Morales has - so far - known only success. In six appearances (five starts) he has a 1.59. ERA / 3.10 FIP and 30 strikeouts in 28.1 innings. He's also walked 11. But with just 5 runs allowed so far has been, essentially, cruising. Which is not what most rookies do. Let's hope the Red Sox can figure him out. Surely hitting coach Pete Fatse spent the weekend planning for this. Garrett Crochet meanwhile is coming off one of the worst starts of his career.

Since August 12th however, the Mariners are 7-14 in their last 21 games, have 3.5 games back of Houston in the AL West and now look up and find four different teams breathing down their neck for the last AL Wild Card spot. Seattle enters Friday night holding just a 1.5 game lead over the Texas Rangers and a 2.0 game lead over the Kansas Cith Royals and the Tampa Bay Rays.

BOTTOM LINE: The Minnesota Twins take on the Chicago White Sox after losing three games in a row. Minnesota is 35-35 at home and 62-77 overall. The Twins have a 14-23 record in games decided by one run. Chicago is 22-46 in road games and 52-88 overall. The White Sox have gone 36-10 in games when they scored at least five runs. The teams match up Thursday for the 13th time this season. The White Sox lead the season series 7-5.

Fortunately for the Sox, Lucas Giolito bounced back after his 1.2 inning disaster against the Los Angeles Angels to keep the Tampa Bay Rays off the board for 6.0 innings.