The Yankees (27-21) come to Seattle for a three game weekend series against the Mariners (24-25). Both teams come into this series hot, both teams have won seven of their last nine games. The Yankees are in tie for first place in the AL East, while the Mariners are only 1.5 games back from first place in the AL West.
Rookie Michael Pineda (6-2 2.16 ERA) will face the Yankees for the first time in his career. Pineda has not given up an earned run in his past two starts. Opposing batters are only hitting .194 off of the young phenom.
When asked by reporters what he knew about the Mariners on Wednesday night, Yankees manager Joe Giradi said:
"Their pitching is very, very good. I do know that," he said. "I tuned into a game about a week ago, and Justin Smoak had had a pretty good year from what I saw a week ago, and Ichiro [Suzuki] is always going to be Ichiro. But they have another young, very good starter in Pineda, who's throwing the ball extremely well, and I'll watch him tomorrow at some point." (Via: newyork.yankees.mlb.com)
A.J. Burnett (5-3 4.02 ERA) gets the start for the Yankees. Burnett surrendered three runs over six hits in six innings of work in his last start against the New York Mets on May 21.
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.