Sunday Night Baseball: Mariners vs. Mets
We’ve got a very special edition of Sunday Night Baseball today, as the Little League Classic features Mariners vs. Mets at BB&T Ballpark at Historic Bowman Field in Williamsport, PA. We’ve got a strong pitching matchup, too, as George Kirby and Clay Holmes are slated to start for their respective teams.
This park is the home of the Williamsport Crosscutters, who are a collegiate summer team in the MLB Draft League. The park seats less than 2,400 with pretty normal dimensions, going 323 in left, 411 in center, and 331 in right.
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How to Watch Mariners vs. Mets
Where: ESPN
When: Sunday, August 17, 7:00 p.m. ET
Mariners vs. Mets MLB Odds
Seattle Mariners -126 // New York Mets +104
Total: 8.5 (-115/-106)
Mariners vs. Mets Game Preview
Kirby has been a huge weapon for the Mariners, as he got off to a bit of a slow start this year, but has now made 15 starts over 85 innings on the year. He has a 3.71 ERA with a 3.40 xERA and a 3.22 FIP. Kirby didn’t debut until May 22 and gave up 11 runs on 13 hits in his first 8.2 innings of work. In his last 13 starts, he’s only allowed 24 runs.
Holmes is a guy to watch closely the rest of the way. He’s made 24 starts with 126 innings of work, setting a career-high in innings by nearly more than double. He maxed out at 70 innings in 2021 and hasn’t worked more than 63.2 innings in any other season. The Mets opted to try him out as a starter and it has worked out well after he had 74 saves over the previous three seasons.
Holmes has a 3.71 ERA with a 4.40 xERA and a 4.20 FIP on the season. His GB% is dropping and so is his K%, plus an increased BB%, so you really have to wonder if the gas tank is starting to drift towards empty. He has allowed 17 runs in 22.2 innings in the second half with a .309/.398/.404 slash against. The walks and balls in play have been an issue, as he’s only allowed one home run, but still hasn’t been effective.
This month, both of these offenses have played well. While the Mets offense has been better with a .336 wOBA and a 119 wRC+, the Mariners have held their own with a .317 wOBA and a 108 wRC+. However, the Mariners are 10-4 this month and the Mets are just 3-11, so these teams are going in different directions.
I have major concerns about Holmes and Kirby is in good form, as usual, so I prefer the Mariners today, at least for the 1st 5, which is just a few cents different from the full-game line.
Pick: Mariners 1st 5 (-130)
