This is a 10* TOTAL OF THE WEEK on the OVER Mariners/Athletics.

I've played the OVER in the Mariners and the Athletics in each of the last two games and while both of those have come up short, I think the get-away game now finally sets up as more of an offensive affair.

The Mariners go with Yusei Kikuchi, who is 7-9 with a 4.32 ERA and who comes in off a poor start against the Royals on Saturday, allowing three runs off eight hits over three innings.

Kikuchi has now lasted three or less innings in three of his last six trips to the hill, posting a brutal 7.03 ERA and 1.77 WHIP in that span.

The A's are in need of a win here for sure after Seattle has taken the first two. Chris Bassitt is 12-4 with a 3.22 ERA and he's been activated from the ten-day IL to make this start.

He's been out for a while now and did not throw a re-hab start, so clearly Bassitt will be on a "short leash" today. The A's bullpen is gassed right now, so I don't trust it this afternoon either.

While each team has played to several UNDERS of late, the value has now finally swung the other way on this total.

The play is the OVER.

Good luck, NP