While many might not have been looking, the Mariners have quietly hit stride, winning six of seven and suddenly sitting atop the AL West. Keying the recent ascent has been dynamite pitching, allowing just nine runs across this advance the past week, and blanking the Rangers last night behind Logan Gilbert and the bullpen. Now it's back to Bryce Miller, who has allowed just one run and seven hits across 19 1/3 IP in his last three starts. More good news was streak-hitter deluxe Julio Rodriguez belting his first homer of the year last night in the 4-0 win at Arlington. Play Mariners on Money Line

Gray’s first two starts of the year came against the Cubs and Astros, two of the tougher teams to strike out, but the two starts after that have been encouraging. He struck out nine batters against Oakland and seven against Detroit, two of the highest strikeout teams, but this matchup with Seattle shouldn’t be much worse. Also, in a relief appearance this weekend vs Atlanta, Gray threw 24 pitches over 1.2 innings, with four of five outs coming via the punch out. He has an impressive swinging strike rate above 15% to righties and has raised that rate above 11% vs lefties. Even if he's been outperforming some of his underlying stats so far with run prevention, I think we can get a 6th K.

Jon Gray is off to a solid start allowing only two earned runs over his previous 16 IP. Gray has racked up 25 Ks over 20 IP and is sporting a career high 13.2% SwStr% in addition to a career best 70.6% Contact%. He will face a Seattle lineup that possesses the 2nd highest K rate against opposing right handed pitching, in addition to the 19th lowest OPS.