This is a 10* on OAKLAND

Seattle pulled the “rabbit out of the hat” yet again on Monday. They rallied for three runs in the top of the ninth and beat Oakland 5-3. It was a crushing loss for the A’s, who are now on the “outside looking in” when it comes to the Wild Card race. The blown lead comes on the heels of the last series with the Mariners, which saw the A’s lose three games by one run. The Mariners have thrived in close games all season. Oakland has not. At least recently they haven’t. Before yesterday’s blown lead, the A’s lost two straight one-run decisions to the Giants. The last 12 runs they’ve allowed, going back to Friday, have all been via the home run. It’s probably good then that Cole Irvin is starting Tuesday afternoon. Irvin not only has a 3.13 ERA in his L10 starts, but has only given up a total of three home runs during that stretch. Seattle starter Chris Flexen may have a 16-7 team start record, but Irvin has a lower ERA and WHIP. The Mariners have won 9 of 12 but only one of those wins was by more than two runs and not in extra innings. They have a penchant for getting blown out. That’s what we think will happen today. Play on OAKLAND

AAA