Thursday, April 3, 7:05 PM on ROOT, CSCA

O.co Coliseum, Oakland, California

Seattle - (L) Elias, R (0-0) vs. Oakland - (R) Chavez, J (0-0)

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

Rookie starting pitcher Roenis Elias will be making his Major League debut for the Seattle Mariners on Thursday night when he takes the mound against Jesse Chavez and the Oakland Athletics. Elias has never pitched above Double-A in his professional career, but the Mariners thought he did well enough during Spring Training to earn the spot their rotation. Elias went 6-11 in the minors last season with a 3.18 ERA and 121 strikeouts in 130 innings.

Two players that Elias should worry about going into this matchup are Josh Donaldson and Yoenis Cespedes, who are both right-handed hitters who feast on left-handed pitchers. Cespedes has a career .288/.357/.510 batting line against lefties, while Donaldson has a career .924 OPS against left-handers.

For the first time in his career, right-hander Jesse Chavez will start the season in a rotation instead of in the bullpen. The 30-year-old had an okay season in 2013, posting a 3.92 ERA and a 1.221 WHIP in 35 relief appearances. He continued to strike guys out at a good clip (8.6 K/9), but he will have to lower his walks (3.1 BB/9) if he wants to succeed as a starter.

Corey Hart has the most success in his career against Chavez, getting two hits with two RBI in four at-bats. Catcher John Buck is the only Mariner with a home run against the righty.

Seattle Trends

Seattle is 2-0-0 against the Over/Under

Run differential for Seattle is +6.0

Oakland Trends

Oakland is 0-1-0 against the Over/Under

Run differential for Oakland is -2.0

Injuries to Watch

Seattle 

04/01/14 P Charlie Furbush Leg questionable
03/30/14 P Hisashi Iwakuma Finger 15-day DL (3/21)
03/30/14 P Stephen Pryor Shoulder 15-day DL (3/21)
03/30/14 P Taijuan Walker Shoulder 15-day DL (3/21)
03/28/14 CF Franklin Gutierrez Hamstring out indefinitely

Oakland

04/01/14 P Ryan Cook Shoulder 15-day DL (3/21)
03/30/14 P A.J. Griffin Elbow 15-day DL (3/21)
03/30/14 CF Craig Gentry Back 15-day DL (3/21)
03/30/14 P Fernando Rodriguez Elbow 15-day DL (3/21)
03/28/14 P Eric O'Flaherty Elbow 60-day DL (2/17)
03/28/14 P Jarrod Parker Elbow 60-day DL (3/20), out for season

Josh's Pick: Take Seattle

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