Mariners vs. Rays: 5 Things Seattle Must Do to Win Series

The Seattle Mariners (11-12) just finished up a three-game series in Toronto against the Blue Jays, a series in which the M's salvaged just one win, a 9-5 10-inning victory in Game 1. The offense was on its game then, but it was non-existent for the final two games, and the pitching was even worse, as the Jays outscored Seattle 14-2 in the final two games of the series.

Eric Wedge and crew immediately fly south to Florida to take on the red hot Tampa Bay Rays (13-8), who have won eight of their last 10 contests.

Four games in, Tampa is a tough way to close out a road trip, and the Mariners will need to be on top of their game to win the series. 

Slow Down Evan Longoria

The Rays' third baseman is having a great month of April, hitting at a clip of .329 with four long balls and 19 runs driven in. Over the last seven days, Evan Longoria is hitting .350, and unless Mariners pitchers can keep him in check, four days in Tampa will be miserable.

Score Some Runs for King Felix

Félix Hernandez has allowed just 10 earned runs over five starts, and he's throwing much better than his 2-1 record indicates.

He's allowed two runs or fewer in four out of five starts, which means if Seattle's offense can muster up three or four runs, it should be enough.

The Mariners have to take advantage of their ace being on the mound, although it'll be no easy task against Jeremy Hellickson in Game 1.

Avoid One-Run Games

The Rays are 4-1 in one-run games this season, and each of the four has been saved by Tampa Bay closer Fernando Rodney.

He's been perfect in terms of converting saves on the year at 6-for-6, and he's allowed just three hits and one earned run over 8.1 innings pitched. 

If Seattle can avoid seeing Rodney, for one, it would mean they would likely be winning, and two, chances are he would shut them down.

Win Pitching Duels

Runs may be hard to come by against the Rays. Tampa Bay will trot out Jeremy Hellickson and James Shields in Games 1 and 3, respectively, and the two have a combined record of 7-0 and 42 strikeouts.

Against Hellickson, Mariners hitters have totaled 13 hits all time, seven of which came off bats of players currently injured or in the minors.

Seattle has fared better against Shields, but he's currently allowing just 2.5 runs per start.

Run on Catchers

Tampa Bay catchers Jose Molina and Chris Gimenez have thrown out just four of 14 would-be base stealers this season, and with all the speed in Seattle's lineup, they should be able to swipe a few bags and manufacture runs.

Although they've stolen just 12 bases this season, Chone Figgins, Dustin Ackley, Ichiro, Michael Saunders and Kyle Seager all have enough speed to be consistent threats on the basepaths and can help the Mariners win games next week against the Rays.