SEATTLE (Interstat) — The Seattle Mariners aim to build on their recent surge when they host the Kansas City Royals on Saturday at T-Mobile Park. First pitch is scheduled for 4:10 p.m. PDT. Right-hander Emerson Hancock (2-1, 3.86 ERA) is the probable starter for Seattle. He will oppose Kansas City right-hander Seth Lugo (1-1, 4.15 ERA). The Mariners enter the contest at 16-16 overall after winning three of their last four games, including a 5-3 victory at Minnesota on Wednesday. Right-hander George Kirby delivered a quality start in that win, allowing two earned runs on eight hits over 5 2/3 innings with five strikeouts. Second baseman Cole Young drove in three runs. Seattle has won five of its last seven games overall. Hancock is coming off a strong outing of his own, taking a no-decision in a 3-2 win at St. Louis on April 24 after allowing two runs over six innings. The Royals (12-19) dropped their series opener at Oakland on Thursday, 6-3, continuing an inconsistent stretch. Kansas City has lost four of its last five games overall. Third baseman Maikel Garcia has been a bright spot. In Thursday’s loss, Garcia went 3-for-5 with a home run and an RBI. Over his last 10 games, Garcia is batting .286 (8-for-28) with one homer and three RBIs. Kansas City’s offense has struggled to generate consistent run support, averaging just 3.4 runs over its last seven games. Friday’s series opener between these two clubs ended in a 0-0 scoreless tie, according to available information. Interstat’s game simulator projects a 6-5 victory for Seattle. The Mariners are installed as -1.5-run favorites, with the over/under set at 7.5 total runs. Following Saturday’s contest, the two teams conclude their series Sunday afternoon. Kansas City then returns home for a five-game homestand against Cleveland and Detroit beginning Monday. Seattle welcomes Atlanta for a three-game set starting Monday before embarking on a six-game road trip through Chicago and Houston.