Series preview: Giants vs. Mariners

The San Francisco Giants are probably a mediocre team, and the Seattle Mariners are probably a bad team. But if you look at the last three-plus weeks, you wouldn’t know it.

On Aug. 17, the Giants fell to 8-16. The next night, the Mariners dropped to 7-18.

Since that time San Francisco has gone 13-5, while Seattle has gone 12-4.

Baseball is weird and stupid, and I’m excited for this two-game series.

The details

Who: San Francisco Giants vs. Seattle Mariners
Where: Oracle Park, San Francisco, California
When: Tuesday (6:45 p.m.) and Wednesday (6:45 p.m.)
National broadcasts: Both games (MLB Network, out of market only)

Where they stand

San Francisco Giants

Record: 21-21, third place in the NL West
Run differential: 0, fifth in the MLB West
Postseason standing: Tied with the Miami Marlins for the two Wild Card spots
Current momentum: Won three in a row, 6-4 in their last 10

Seattle Mariners

Record: 19-22, third place in the AL West
Run differential: -33, seventh in the MLB West
Postseason standing: Out of the playoffs by a bit
Current momentum: Won six in a row, 7-3 in their last 10

Three Giants to watch

Logan Webb: It’s been a highly encouraging year for Webb, but the last two starts have been rough. Here’s his stat line from those two games: 9 innings, 11 hits, 4 walks, 9 earned runs, 9 strikeouts. Admittedly one of those starts was against the Los Angeles Dodgers and the other was at Coors Field. Still, he’ll be looking for a good performance in a friendlier environment.

Brandon Belt: Belt has permanent placement here until he cools off. Here’s the update on his current streak: 27-58, 6 home runs, 8 doubles, 1 triple, 12 walks, 11 strikeouts.

Joey Bart: Bart’s rough stretch is thoroughly in the rearview mirror. He’s worked his way up to be an exactly league average hitter, per Fangraphs, which is impressive. He has hits in each of his last five starts, and has really cut down on his strikeouts lately.

Three Mariners to watch

Ljay Newsome: Prospects are always interesting to watch, and when those prospects are pitchers, they provide an opportunity. Newsome, a 23-year old right-hander, will start the series opener. It’s the second career start and third appearance for the Mariners’ number 28 prospect, per Fangraphs.

Kyle Lewis: Lewis started the year as a nice prospect who had just turned 25. And now he’s emerged as a very good everyday player. The right-handed outfielder is hitting .310/.402/.510, and has been one of the best hitters in all of baseball this year.

Kyle Seager: The Giants are very, very familiar with Corey Seager, but they haven’t gotten to get well acquainted with his older brother Kyle, who has spent his entire 10-year career in Seattle. The left-handed third baseman hasn’t been quite the star that his younger brother has been, but he’s a very good player who has surpassed 30 Wins Above Replacement for his career.

Best case/worst case

Best case scenario: A two-game sweep. Simple.

West case scenario: A two-game sweep. Simple.

Prediction

I’m pretty sure the math says to always predict a split in a two-game series.

I’m also pretty sure that I’m an idiot.

Giants 2-0.