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The Minnesota Twins head west to open a series in Seattle at 10:10 p.m. Friday, facing a Mariners pitching staff that has held opponents to two runs or fewer in three of their last four games, including a perfect game by Felix Hernandez Aug. 15 against Tampa Bay.
Luckily, the Twins won't face Hernandez this series, but Friday's starter, Hisashi Iwakuma is tough in Seattle (2.97 ERA and .212 batting average against at home vs. 5.63 and .295 on the road). Minnesota counters with Nick Blackburn (4-8, 7.33 ERA). Blackburn has an inflated ERA and he's only pitched past the sixth inning twice this season. He faced Seattle once earlier in the season, giving up five runs and seven hits while walking three in six innings in a loss May 6.
Both teams are currently in last place in their divisions, but the Twins have been a bit more competitive in August, winning a series against Boston and one against Cleveland.
For more on the Twins, read Twinkie Town. For more on the Mariners, read Lookout Landing.