New York Yankees vs. Seattle Mariners Pick & Prediction SEPTEMBER 19th 2024

Preview and Prediction

The Mariners can only hope that the New York Yankees are recovering from a hangover on Thursday afternoon as Seattle tries to avoid being swept in their three-game home series.

The Yankees (89-63) secured a spot in the American League playoffs on Wednesday night with a 2-1 win in 10 innings. Anthony Rizzo drove in both runs for New York, including a double down the right field line to bring in automatic runner Jasson Dominguez.

This marks the Yankees' return to the postseason after missing out last year.

"A lot of things have come together," stated Yankees manager Aaron Boone. "We've had better overall health and a stronger focus from players who had tough seasons last year. Simply put, we're a better team. We weren't great last year, but this team has the potential to do something special."

Yankees star Aaron Judge, who leads the league in home runs (53) and RBIs (136), echoed Boone's sentiments.

"It's definitely exciting, especially after missing out on the postseason last year," said Judge, who ranks second in batting average (.321) behind Kansas City's Bobby Witt Jr. "That's what we set out to do this season - make it to the playoffs and give ourselves a chance to win a World Series."

While the Yankees have secured at least a wild-card spot, their sights are set on the AL East title. They currently have a five-game lead over the Baltimore Orioles with 10 games left in the regular season.

"Our goal is to win the division. That's what we want to do," said Yankees right fielder Juan Soto. "We're going to focus on that and finish the season strong."

The Mariners (77-75), who are five games behind the first-place Houston Astros in the AL West and three games back from the final wild-card spot, had a chance to tie the game in the bottom of the 10th on Wednesday before falling victim to what manager Dan Wilson called a "freak scenario."

Cal Raleigh led off with a single to left, advancing automatic runner Julio Rodriguez to third.

Randy Arozarena lost his grip on the bat while swinging and missing at strike three, causing the bat to spin down the third base line directly at Rodriguez. He was able to dodge the bat, but Yankees catcher Austin Wells quickly threw the ball to third baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr., who tagged out Rodriguez just before he could get back to the base.

"It was a great game in all aspects, but a tough one to lose," said Wilson.

After the game, Rodriguez sat at his locker watching the replay of the play on his phone.

"I saw the bat flying towards my face, so I ran away from it. I didn't make it back to the base in time," said Rodriguez. "At that moment, I wasn't thinking about the game, I was just trying to avoid getting hit by the bat. It was a weird situation."

In the final game of the series, Yankees right-hander Clarke Schmidt (5-3, 2.41 ERA) is set to face off against Mariners righty Logan Gilbert (7-11, 3.24).

This will be Schmidt's third start since returning from a right lat strain that kept him out for over three months. In his previous two outings against the Chicago Cubs and Boston Red Sox, he only allowed two runs in 10 1/3 innings.

Despite giving up just two runs on four hits in five innings, Schmidt took the loss against the Mariners on May 21 at Yankee Stadium. He currently holds a 0-1 record with a 1.69 ERA in two career starts against Seattle.

Gilbert, who has lost his last three decisions, received a no-decision in a 5-4 Mariners win against the Yankees on May 20. In that game, he allowed three runs on eight hits in six innings. Gilbert has a 1-2 record with a 7.18 ERA in five career starts against the Yankees.

PREDICTION

New York Yankees

3

4

Seattle Mariners

New York Yankees vs. Seattle Mariners Recap SEP 19TH 2024