The Seattle Mariners open the season at home this year
starting on March 29 against the Cleveland Indians. The Indians led their
division winning one hundred and two games. They won the division over second
place Minnesota Twins by seventeen games. I expect that the Indians are favored
to win their division once again.
Corey Kluber will take the mound in the first game against
Felix Hernandez who will start the season opener for the tenth straight season.
Kluber had a record of 18-9 with an era of 2.25. Also in four of his five full
seasons he has pitched over two hundred innings which is now a rarity in major
league baseball.
I am not sure whether the Mariners will win the season opener
against Kluber however if they can win two out of the three games I would call
it a success. The Mariners will have a day off on Friday and then James Paxton
will start on Saturday and Mike Leake on Sunday. The Mariners have a day off on
Monday then start a series against the Giants on Tuesday in San Francisco. Not
sure whether fourth starter Marco Gonzales will start that game or they will
start Felix after having four days off. A lot may depend on how Felix does in
the home opener or they may have already decided to start with the four man
rotation no matter what. Gonzales started on Tuesday against the Colorado
Rockies in the final game of spring training. He pitched four and two/thirds
innings giving up seven hits and two runs. He had two walks and three strike
outs so ended up with solid spring training with an era of 2.08. If Gonzales can
pitch anything like that for the season the Mariners will take it.
The Mariners won the final game on Tuesday winning 5-3 on a
three run homer by Daniel Vogelbach who has had an outstanding spring training
that led him to making the team. He is still looking at being the backup at
first base and designated hitter. The Mariners are hoping to get him into at
least one of the games against the Indians. He will be available for pinch
hitting against the Giants. Vogelbach likely will be sent to Tacoma when the
Mariners need a fifth starter. It will depend though how well Ryon Healy plays
as well. Right now Healy has the upper hand however that can change.
Ichiro played on Tuesday having four at bats didn’t get a
hit, struck out once and walked once. According to manager Scott Servais Ichiro
should be healthy to start the season on the roster however starting game one
is in question at this point. Personally I like Guillermo Heredia so I hope you
he gets the chance to play more often than not. I am sure he will be a
defensive replacement when he doesn’t start. If Ichiro does start because he is
healthy enough and Kluber is a tough right handed pitcher who might give
Heredia some trouble. In either case one or the other will bat ninth. I am sure
we will see Heredia in the game even if he doesn’t start.
The Mariners announced they signed veteran outfielder Jayson
Werth to a minor league contract and he will spend time in Arizona for extended
spring training until he goes to Tacoma. Whether we see him will depend on how
he does in Tacoma and whether the Mariners will need another outfielder because
of injuries. Not sure when Ben Gamel will be ready to go however he should see
some action in Tacoma before coming back to the Mariners.
I will primarily writing stories about how the players are
doing throughout the season and the ball club. I don’t plan on day to day games
unless something comes over me that looks good. I will write previews of each
series throughout the year. I do hope the Mariners will keep me going with good
stories. I will let you know how I see things go after the first game though
and how Felix works out and preview of James Paxton and Mike Leake who will
start the second and third games. Go M’s.
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