The Dodgers and Mariners will square off in a battle of first-place teams, and you can tune in — for free — this afternoon at 4 ET.
After Seattle took Monday’s series opener, the teams will wrap up a brief two-game set on Tuesday at T-Mobile Park in MLB.TV’s Free Game of the Day. (Blackout restrictions apply, although live audio still will be available through MLB.TV in local markets.)
While many expected the Dodgers to be pacing the National League West, the same can’t be said for the upstart Mariners in the American League West. And if you needed any extra incentive to watch this one, Kyle Lewis — the 2020 AL Rookie of the Year — will be making his season debut after missing the first 17 games due to a deep bone bruise in his right knee.
Here is a breakdown of some key things to know before today’s MLB.TV stream.
How they’re doing
Dodgers (13-4, first in NL West)
Mariners (11-6, first in AL West)
After dropping their series finale against the Padres on Sunday and the opener of this two-game set vs. the Mariners, the Dodgers will be looking to avoid their first three-game losing streak since 2019 on Tuesday. The Mariners, meanwhile, have won five of their last six.
Dodgers: Julio Urías (2-0, 3.86 ERA in three starts)
Mariners: Marco Gonzales (1-1, 8.22 ERA in three starts)
Gonzales gave up 12 runs off 17 hits over just 10 1/3 innings in his first two starts this season, but bounced back on Thursday when he held the O’s to just two runs over five frames. As for Urías, he did the opposite, cruising through his first two starts before stumbling a bit against the Rockies on Thursday, giving up five runs (four earned) over six innings.
Player to watch
Take your pick. Justin Turner is hitting .407 with a 1.250 OPS. Max Muncy is hitting .302 with a .995 OPS. On the other side, Mitch Haniger is hitting .319 with a .932 OPS atop Seattle’s lineup.
Don’t forget him
As if this game didn’t have enough starpower as it is, Lewis’ return only adds to the mix. The 25-year-old outfielder burst onto the scene last season, hitting .360 with seven homers and a 1.014 OPS over his first 30 games. Though he cooled off down the stretch, Lewis still finished the season with 11 homers, 28 RBIs and five stolen bases in just 56 games.
Picture this
Opposing batters — specifically right-handed hitters — have been stifled by Urías’ changeup this season, going 0-for-19 with six strikeouts against the pitch.
Number of note
The Mariners’ bullpen enters Tuesday’s game with a 2.77 ERA — fourth-best in the Majors. Seattle’s relief corps has a scoreless streak of 17 1/3 innings over the last six games, including 3 1/3 innings of one-hit ball in the series opener vs. the Dodgers. Nine of the 19 earned runs allowed by the Mariners’ bullpen came in an April 6 loss to the White Sox when starter James Paxton left the game with an injury after just 1 1/3 innings. Outside of that game, the Mariners’ bullpen ERA is a remarkable 1.67 ERA in their other 16 contests.