⚾️ MLB 6/20: SM Weekend Primer 🏟️

A preview of the biggest series this weekend + players to watch

Hey all! Welcome to the Weekend Primer where we run through our must-watch series to watch over the next three days along with players and stats to know.

Thanks for reading and enjoy the action this weekend!

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Seattle Mariners vs. Chicago Cubs

Last Time Out: These two teams played three times in Seattle last April with the Cubs taking two out of three. The Cubs lost to division rivals Brewers on Thursday but remain five games up in first place in the NL Central. The Mariners were at one point in first in the AL West, they have slumped and have left the door open for the Houston Astros to take a five game lead.

Series Notes: J.P Crawford is slashing .330/.459/.455 over the last 30 days … Cal Raleigh has an OPS of 1.128 for his last 30 games … Michael Busch has an OPS of .893 over the same time … Nico Hoerner is hitting .302 at Wrigley Field … Emerson Hancock has a 2.48 ERA over his last five games … Matthew Boyd has a 2.45 ERA in June … Ryan Pressly hasn’t allowed a run in his last 10 IP.

Prediction: Mariners take two out of three from the north-siders.

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Detroit Tigers vs. Tampa Bay Rays

Last Time Out: The Tigers went 5-1 vs. the Rays last season, including a sweep in Detroit. The Tigers have the best record in the American League and Rays are in 2nd place behind the Yankees in the AL East. Tampa Bay owns the first wild-card spot and is coming off a loss to the Baltimore Orioles at home. Detroit look to shake off it’s loss to Pittsburgh.

Series Notes: Tigers rank top five in team ERA and WHIP … Rays have the league-best .813 OPS over the last month … Rays have hit the second most home runs in last 30 days (38) … Tigers 5th best road SLG in away games … Detroit ranks 4th in team SO … Tommy Kahnle has a 1.46 ERA in his last 12.1 IP … Ryan Pepiot has a 1.62 ERA and 37 SO in his last 33.1 IP … Wenceel Perez has five home runs in his last 20 games … Dillon Dingler and Riley Greene both have OPS over .900 on the road this season … Junior Caminero and Brandon Lowe have OPS over 1.000 for the past month

Prediction: Rays take two out of three in south Florida

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New York Mets vs. Philadelphia Phillies