Mariners In a Better Place Than They Were Last Month at Fenway Park

When the Red Sox hosted Seattle last month, it was as if Buckingham Palace had opened its doors for a homeless man. Boston welcomed the Mariners into their one-of-a-kind home, allowed them to see the sights and sing "Sweet Caroline" a few times, and then kicked them to the curb suffering through the worst losing streak in franchise history.

Seattle left the Hub with 15 straight losses, a slide that would eventually reach 17 games. Meanwhile, the Red Sox used the three-game sweep, during which they scored 22 runs, to move a season-high (at the time) 25 games above .500.

It was a complete contrast in organizational strength, at least at the upper level.

Not that the fortunes of the two teams have entirely changed, but the Mariners at least have a little more reason to hold their heads high when the Red Sox come to town this weekend.

Since its losing streak came to an end, Seattle is 7-6. That won't change much in the grand scheme of things, but at least the club has had a return to normalcy. In fact, outside of the 17-game skid, the Mariners are a game above .500, and they are eight games better at home than on the road.

In addition, the pitching matchups are rather even. John Lackey has been pretty good for Boston for over a month, but he will meet Seattle rookie Blake Beavan, who nearly outdueled Josh Beckett in Fenway Park last month and who is 2-0 with a 2.45 ERA in two starts since.

As for Beckett, he will meet his match Saturday night in reigning Cy Young Award winner Felix Hernandez, who is 4-2 with a 3.39 ERA in 10 career starts against Boston.

The finale sees Tim Wakefield go for his 200th against rookie left-hander Charlie Furbush. Wakefield gave up seven runs on 10 hits in his last start against the Mariners while Furbush tossed five scoreless innings of relief against Boston back on May 27, when he was with Detroit.

In all likelihood, the Red Sox will leave town still in first place in the American League East, or at least very close to it. The Mariners will remain in last place in the AL West.

But the disparities between the two teams in this series may not be what it was when Boston hosted a ragtag bunch of losers last month.