Mariners start 3-game series at home against the Athletics

Oakland Athletics (18-21, third in the AL West) vs. Seattle Mariners (20-18, second in the AL West) Seattle; Friday, 9:40 p.m. EDT PITCHING PROBABLES: Athletics: Paul Blackburn (3-1, 3.00 ERA, 1.02 WHIP, 31 strikeouts); Mariners: Bryan Woo (0-0) : LINE Mariners -145, Athletics +122; over/under is 7 1/2 runs BOTTOM LINE: The Seattle Mariners host the Oakland Athletics on Friday to open a three-game series. Seattle has a 20-18 record overall and an 11-8 record at home. The Mariners have a 7-4 record in games decided by one run. Oakland has an 18-21 record overall and an 8-8 record in road games. Athletics hitters have a collective .391 slugging percentage to rank eighth in the AL. The matchup Friday