Mariners Vs. Angels: Former College Teammates Vargas And Weaver Square Off

The Mariners (17-24) start a short two game home series against their division rivals, the Los Angeles Angels (22-21) Wednesday night. The Angels come into this series riding a three game losing streak, losing five of their last six games. The Mariners on the other hand, have lost six of their last seven games.

Jason Vargas (2-2 3.86 ERA) gets the start for the Mariners. In his last two starts he has allowed only one earned run. The left-hander has shown sufficient command this season. He has only walked 12 batters in eight starts, with a 2.1 walk rate per nine innings.

Opposing Vargas is his former college teammate from Long Beach St., Jered Weaver (6-2 1.87 ERA). Weaver started off the year brilliantly for the Angels, going 6-0 with a  0.99 ERA in April, however in the month of May he has gone 0-3 with a 5.55 ERA. He will look to get back on track against a struggling Mariners lineup.

Weaver told reporters last night that he's excited to face Vargas,

"I'm looking forward to facing Jason. We were part of a great team at Long Beach State. He used to throw 94, 95 [mph] in college. He's definitely become more of a pitcher, and it's cool to see," Weaver said."

As reported Tuesday night, Franklin Gutierrez will make his season debut for the Seattle Mariners, getting the start at center field for game one of the series.

First pitch at Safeco Field is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. PT. with coverage on ROOT Sports and 710 ESPN AM.

For more news and information regarding the Mariners and tonight's game head on over to SB Nation's Mariners blog, Lookout Landing.