Big Series: Battle for 1st with the Angels starts tonight

We've all been talking about it for awhile now but the moment has finally come for us to play the Angels again with a chance to take over first place in the AL West. The Mariners have dropped two straight games coming into the series during this brutal stretch of their schedule. The offense wasn't it's usual self in those two games and I have found no reason to panic about the two loses coming into this series (outside of my tendency to complain about McLaren's little league decision making skills late in games). If we can somehow manage a sweep in this series we will take a one game lead in the AL West. Taking 2 out of 3 will leave us 1 game back. Losing 2 out of 3 will leave us 3 games back. A disastrous sweep by the Angels (and losing 5 straight overall) would put us at 5 games back. So this series is definitely key if we want to win the division and also to sustain our lead in the Wildcard over the Yankees and Tigers.

Here is a quick look at the expected pitching matchups for the series:

1st game: 08/27/07 7:05 pm at Safeco Field
Miguel "Artista" Batista (4.57 ERA, 13-9, 1.55 WHIP) vs. John Lackey(15-8, 3.34 ERA, 1.29 WHIP)

So we have our most consistent pitcher all year who is coming off his worst start of the year facing a potential Cy Young candidate in Lackey who has lost his last two decisions. This game could be a tough one for us but let's hope our offense gets back on track and Miggy bounces back from a bad start.

2nd game: 08/28/07 7:05 pm at Safeco Field
Jeff "Don't wake me now I'm having a dream" Weaver (6-10, 5.51 ERA, 1.46 WHIP) vs. Ervin Santana (5-12, 6.03 ERA, 1.56 WHIP)

In this game we have our hottest pitcher who blew balls at the beginning of the year but has won his last 4 starts facing the Angels worst starter who has lost 6 straight decisions. I like our chances in this game. I think our offense can pound Santana. All we need is a quality start from Weaver, not a great game like he's pitched in 3 out of his last 4 starts.

3rd game: 08/29/07 1:35 pm at Safeco Field
Felix "The King" Hernandez (10-6, 3.90 ERA, 1.38 WHIP) vs. Jered Weaver (9-6, 3.96 ERA, 1.42 WHIP)

This game could end up being a classic pitchers duel. The King has won 4 straight decisions and has shown signs of becoming the dominant pitcher we all know he can be in his last 5 starts. Jeff's brother has won 2 out of 3 starts and has looked very good at times this year. I still like our chances though with our offense and The King on the mound.

So for those of you that have tickets to the games this week: Cheer loud, have fun and wear blue. For the rest of us pray for a sweep and yell at the TV when McLaren makes a questionable decisions late in the game. My personal prediction for this series is that the Mariners will take the 2 out of 3 by winning the last two games of the series. Let us all know what you think in the comments....