MLB Free Pick: Mariners vs Yankees

The recent display of power by Aaron Hicks became contagious for the rest of his New York Yankees teammates in the opening game of their series with the Seattle Mariners on Tuesday night. Hicks hit his third home run in as many games and the team hit four. On Wednesday, the Yankees will host the Mariners in the second game of their three-game series.

Odds makers have the current line with New York -185 as the favorite, Seattle at +165 and the over/under run total 9.5.

Giancarlo Stanton started the long-ball fest with a solo shot, while Hicks and Miguel Andujar hit two-run homers and Gleyber Torres ended the barrage with a solo home run as the Yankees defeated the Mariners 7-2. The Yankees have now won 15 of their last 19 and are 27-11 at home, which is tops in the majors.

Hicks had three hits as the leadoff batter and during his ongoing four-game hitting streak is 8-for-17 while knocking in five runs and scoring four.

Seattle’s first game in the Bronx was the start of a 10-game road trip. Nelson Cruz homered for his second in as many games and seventh round-tripper in his past 10 games. The Mariners had just two hits on the night.

Seattle second baseman Dee Gordon has five runs scored during his current hitting streak of seven games. Mariners’ third baseman Kyle Seager is 0-for-7 including five strikeouts over his past two games following a hitting streak of six games.

Seattle will have veteran right-hander Felix Hernandez on the mound for Wednesday’s game. Hernandez is 6-6 with a 5.44 ERA. Hernandez has a strong start last Thursday following a disastrous outing prior to that. His strong showing against Boston however, resulted in a loss. Fernandez has enjoyed success pitching in the Big Apple. In nine career starts at the New Yankee Stadium, the Seattle right-hander is 6-1 with a 1.41 ERA.

New York will counter with Jonathan Loaisiga. The right-hander is 1-0 with a 0.00 ERA. Loaisiga pitched well in his debut in the majors last week allowing just three hits across five innings in a Yankees 5-0 win over the Tampa Bay Rays. The Nicaraguan, who is just 23, struggled to find his control which resulted in four walks against Tampa Bay after giving up that number in 45 innings in the minors this season.

Prediction: The game should be high scoring as Hernandez has not pitched consistently this season and Loaisiga will be making just his second major league start and control problems could be a factor. The Yankees will over power the Mariners 9-6.