(Sports Network) - Things haven't gone according to plan for both the Cleveland Indians and Seattle Mariners this year. The two last-place clubs square off tonight, as the Mariners host the Tribe in the opener of a three- game set at Safeco Field.

Both Cleveland and Seattle were expected to contend for their respective division titles this year, but both have been disappointments.

Cleveland sits last in the American League Central, 13 games back of first- place Chicago. The Indians are hitting just .250 on the season, ahead of only Oakland in the AL, and have scored 426 runs this year, ninth in the league. Cleveland's team earned run average of 4.30 is ninth in the AL.

This comes a year after the Indians won 96 games to clinch the AL Central and knocked off the Yankees in four games in the ALDS before falling to Boston in seven games in the championship round.

Cleveland had the reigning AL Cy Young Award winner in CC Sabathia to start the season, and he was expected to team with Fausto Carmona to form a top- notch rotation. However, Carmona has been on the disabled list since May 24 due to a left hip strain and the Indians dealt upcoming free agent Sabathia to the Brewers on July 7.

Also currently on the DL for the Indians are Travis Hafner (right shoulder), Jake Westbrook (right elbow) and Victor Martinez (right elbow).

The Indians did manage to sweep a four-game series with Tampa Bay before the break, and hope Aaron Laffey can pitch them to a season high-tying fifth straight win tonight. Cleveland also won five in a row from April 22-26.

Laffey ended his first half with a win over the Rays on July 10, holding them to a pair of runs on four hits over six innings for his first victory since June 12. The 23-year-old lefty is 5-5 with a 3.45 ERA in 14 starts this season.

Laffey has made two career starts against the Mariners, posting a 3.75 ERA without a decision.

Big things were also expected out of Seattle this year, especially with the offseason acquisitions of pitchers Erik Bedard and Carlos Silva. However, Bedard is just 6-4 with a 3.67 ERA in 15 starts while being unable to stay healthy, while Silva is a miserable 4-11 with a 5.46 ERA in 20 starts.

Seattle, which has the worst record in the AL at 37-58 and is 20 games off the pace in the AL West, has already fired general manager Bill Bavasi and manager John McLaren, with Jim Riggleman taking over the manager spot on an interim basis. Seattle's win over Kansas City right before the break improved the Mariners to 12-11 since Riggleman took over.

On the field, the Mariners have cut ties with expensive bust Richie Sexson, releasing the first baseman on July 10, and could trade Bedard, Adrian Beltre and even Ichiro Suzuki before the season is out.

One player likely not going anywhere is tonight's starter for Seattle, 22- year-old Felix Hernandez. The right-hander returned to action last Friday from a left ankle sprain that landed him on the DL and lost to the Royals. Hernandez allowed three runs on four hits with eight strikeouts in the 3-1 loss, falling to 6-6 with a 2.95 ERA on the season.

Hernandez is 0-1 with a 4.58 ERA in three career starts versus the Indians.

The Indians won two of three when these clubs met in Cleveland from April 29- May 1.