WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Interstat) — The Seattle Mariners and Athletics open a two-game series Tuesday night at Sutter Health Park, with Oakland seeking to build on its slim edge in the American League standings. Seattle (25-29) is coming off a 6-8 loss to the Kansas City Royals on Sunday, a game in which third baseman Colt Emerson went 4 for 4 with an RBI. Emerson has been inconsistent, batting .400 in his last five games but going hitless in four of his previous seven contests. He is a player to watch for the Mariners, who have lost three of their last four. Oakland (27-26) enters after a 5-2 victory at San Diego on Sunday, with left-handed pitcher Jacob Lopez throwing 4 2/3 innings of one-run ball. Lopez, another player to watch, has allowed three earned runs or fewer in four of his last five outings. The Athletics took two of three from the Padres and have won four of their last six. Tuesday’s pitching matchup features a pair of right-handers for Seattle: first, Emerson Hancock (3-2), followed by Luis Severino (2-5). Oakland has not announced a starter. The teams split a four-game series in Seattle from April 20-22, with the Athletics taking two of the final three. Monday’s scheduled game between the clubs was not completed, leaving the season series even at 2-2. The Mariners have struggled offensively, averaging 3.7 runs over their last six games. Seattle has relied on production from Julio Rodríguez, who hit a home run and drove in two runs Sunday, and Bryan Woo, who allowed four earned runs in 4 2/3 innings in that loss. Oakland has shown resilience, with its bullpen featuring Scott Barlow, who threw a scoreless 2/3 inning Sunday. Carlos Cortes added a home run and an RBI. The Interstat game simulator projects a 5-3 Athletics victory. Seattle enters as a -1.5 favorite, and the over/under is 9 runs. Following Tuesday, the teams meet again Wednesday. Seattle then returns home for a three-game series against Arizona, while Oakland hosts the New York Yankees for a three-game set beginning Friday.