Monday is Here and So is Mariners Opening Day

The Seattle Mariners open 2017 season today Monday April 3 in Houston, Texas against the Astros. They will play a four game series before going to Anaheim to play a three game series against the Angels before starting a home series next Monday against the Astros.

It will not only be important the Mariners start off well in the series against the Astros however that Felix Hernandez pitches a good game to. It would be nice if he can pitch six or seven innings in the game as well. If he can give up no more than three runs in the game the Mariners will have a good chance to win the game.

Another good thing would be if the Mariners can split the series against the Astros at the very least and win two out of three against the Angels. The Mariners have played well against the Angels in most recent years.  

It is critical that the Mariners get off to a good start since the first series on the road and then at home are sixteen games. Thirteen of those games are against division foes. Besides the Astros and Angels they play three against the Rangers.  In between the Astros and Rangers at home they play inter-league series against the Miami Marlins.

At some point during those sixteen games I expect that the Mariners will make some changes in the bullpen and the roster. They are starting with eight relievers in the bullpen along with their five starters and three bench players. Good chance they will do some maneuvering on the roster depending on how they are playing.

 Tony Zych is going to start the season doing a rehab assignment for the Tacoma Rainiers. Depending how the bullpen is going will decide whether he will be called up or not. The Mariners have Steve Cishek and Shae Simmons on the disabled list. They both may do rehab assignments depending on the bullpen as well.

Shawn O’Malley may go on a rehab assignment in a few days or be activated on the roster. This will depend on whether the Mariners want to stay with an eight man bullpen or go back to seven.  Most likely there can be a shift between the bench and the bullpen over the season. The Mariners have three bench players in catcher Carlos Ruiz, utility player Taylor Motter and outfielder Guillermo Heredia right now. Again the change may depend how healthy the players stay and how the regulars are playing especially at first base and the outfield. Go M’s.