Spring Training Done

The Seattle Mariners heading home

with spring training in the books

after losing Monday to the Padres 4-2.

The starting lineup what is expected. 

Tom Murphy the backup catcher in

and is healthy right now as expected.

Cooper Hummel made one of the last

spots being the third catcher along 

with fifth outfielder. Veteran Tommy LA 

Stella acquired as s free agent is an

infielder who play anywhere except

shortstop. Didn't play a lot on the field

during spring training will probably

dh. Not sure who will be the opening

day starter. AJ Pollock be dh and left 

fielder to give Kelenic time off against

tough lefties. I expect Kelenic will start

against lefties that are fourth or fifth 

starters unless has poor history against 

some of them or has faced several righties 

in a row and needs a day off.

Sam Haggerty will be the primary utility

player until Dylan Moore returns in the middle of April. He will be the backup on 

all the infield spots. We will see a shift 

when Dylan returns. A lot depends how Hummel and LA Stella do though LA Stella will get most of the playing time early. 

Taylor Trammel is expected to be healthy

in a couple weeks. With no training camp

he will go on a rehab assignment. When 

he comes up will come down to how

Hummel and LA Stella do though Hummel could be his teammate in Tacoma by then.

Hummel spot on the roster will allow the

Mariners to use either Tom Murphy and

Cal Raleigh at dh while the other is at

catcher since he is the third catcher.

The Mariners bullpen is the same as it

was at the end of last season except

adding Trevor Gott taking the spot of

Erik Swanson who was traded to Toronto

in the Hernandez trade. Most likely he 

will take the role of Swanson to. Chris Flexen is the long reliever and possibly

the first out of the bullpen depending

on how far the starter goes. Early on

he may be the first on when either Gonzales or Kirby pitches. Gonzales gets

in trouble early or want to limit Kirby's

pitches. I am sure at some point he will

start or be traded. 

This is how the season begins so go M's.

Mariners Win Opening Day

The Seattle Mariners beat Cleveland

Thursday night in the season opener

3-0.

This is in a way we hope to see at least

90 more times. Great pitching, good defense and clutch hitting.

The game was scoreless for seven

and a half innings when Ty France

hit a home run in the bottom of the

8th inning. Andre Munoz didn't make it

easy or the Guardians anyway. Munoz

got the two first guys out then gave up

two hits with runners at second and

third. Fortunately the last batter grounded

out to France at first who tossed to

Munoz. Couldn't have had a better game.

Luis Castillo pitched a wonderful six innings and giving up one hit. The

Guardians only had four hits on the

night. Matt Brash pitched the 7th 

inning throwing nasty slider especially

to Jose Ramiez. If you didn't see it is a

must to see online.

The key to the pitching was none of the

Mariners four pitchers walked a batter. 

Now we look to seeing Robbie Ray do

the same Friday night and who the

hitting hero will be. 

Jarred Kelenic had a hit and hit the 

ball solid twice so another good

sign. Tommy La Stella was the opening

day dh. Whether he hits for high

average or not he was able to move

a runner over to third leaving with

one out. The Mariners didn't score

however Tommy did his job. Near

the end of spring training he had

two sacrifice fly's in a game. Something

the Mariners have lacked is someone

doing the little things so if that is all

he does I am fine with it. Go M's.

Opening Day

Here it is opening day for the Seattle Mariners 

taking on the Cleveland Guardians. 

Luis Castillo  will start the game  for the Mariners. 

I am sure he will be locked in. 

I am sure we will  see the Mariners  regular lineup

with Cal Raleigh  at catcher, Ty France  at first,

Kolten Wong  at second, JP Crawford at short,

Eugenio  Suarez  at third, Jarred Kelenic in left,

Julio Rodriguez in center and Teoscar Hernandez 

in right. The question  who will dh. The possibility 

is either AJ Pollock or Tommy  La Stella. I am

sure we will see  Sam Haggerty at some point

either as a pich hitter or pinch runner. Let his

speed burn. Lol

The Mariners should make the playoffs  again

this year. Of course they have to stay healthy.

No one out for an extended period.  Anyone 

who does the Mariners  will  have  to look

to make a trade to fit the spot. Though the

backups are fine none would work out if

a player was out for two  months or longer

except in the pitching. Go M's. 

A Look At Tacoma Rainiers Roster For 2023

As the Mariners  start their season  on Thursday

we look at the minor leaguers who are expected 

to begin their season in triple-A. The Rainiers 

begin their season in Oklahoma on Friday for

a three game series before returning  to Tacoma

for a six game series beginning  Tuesday  April 

4th against Reno.

The Rainers have 15 pitchers on their opening 

day roster. Most of the pitchers were invited

to Mariners  major league camp. A familiar name 

is Justus Sheffield. Not sure where his plans fit

for the Mariners except  maybe in the bullpen 

unless they need someone  to make an emergency 

start. Beyond that the Mariners will likely go to

one of their prized prospects  like Bryce Miller.

None of the top pitching prospects are on the

Rainiers Roster instead are at double-A  Arkansas. 

Another couple pitchers on Tacoma roster are Casey 

Sadler and Gabe Speier. Sadler who had an outstanding 

season in Seattle in 2021 is working his way  back after

missing last year with arm surgery. At some point we

well likely  see him with the Mariners.  Speier a lefty

was one of the last pitchers to be sent down. Also expect 

in Seattle at some point this season though not much

room in the bullpen.

The Mariners  have three catchers  on the roster with

Jacob Nottingham and Brian O'Keefe being two. Often

should see them both in the lineup  with one being the dh.

The Mariners  have eight infielders listed on the roster.

Mike Ford and Evan White will both play some first base

while Ford will dh when one of the catchers do not. Mason

McCoy one of the last ones sent down will likely  play

shortstop though may see action at second and third on

occasion.

The outfield shows two players listed. As you know the

Rainiers  have to play  three. Most likely Evan White  will 

will play some outfield  until Taylor Trammell reports

for rehab assignment. We could see Dylan Moore as well 

on a rehab assignment. The two regular outfielders will

be Cade Marlowe and  Alberto Rodriguez.  Marlowe was

thought of making the Mariners before an injury caused

him to be sent down instead. Alberto played last year 

in Everett,  however,  with outstanding training camp the

Mariners felt he could begin Tacoma. Whether he sticks

or sent down we will  see. 

The Seattle Mariners  have hitting and pitching warm-ups

on Wednesday before the season  begins on Thursday. 

They allowing  fans come in the afternoon beginning at

2 pm to watch the Mariners players. Included is a home

run hitting contest. Admission is $10 and $5 for season 

ticket holders. 

Through out the season let you know how the Rainiers 

and the other minor league teams are doing especially 

the top prospects.  We will do who are the players  on 

those rosters in the days ahead too. Go M's. 

Bobbie Wagner Returns Home

Over the weekend  we got the good news

Bobby Wagner  signed a one year deal

to return to the Seahawks  after being 

released by the Rams.

I am glad Bobbie  had a good season

last year so he wouldn't sign as a sympathy 

signing. Jordyn Brooks  will be out for

some time this coming season so the

Seahawks needs someone  to anchor 

the defense.

I am sure the Seahawks  will  draft someone

who will be a linebacker who can learn 

from Bobbie. Good  to  see him retire as a

Seahawk  and get more use out of him.

As long as his health is good sign him

to as many one year contracts as possible.  

Go Hawks!

Logan and a Tie

Logan Gilbert had another good

outing for his last outing of spring.

Logan went four innings giving up 

two runs on a home runs.

Last year Logan was 13-6 with 3.20

era. Last April Logan was pitcher of

the month with 3-0 record and era of .40.

If replicates April as far as his record goes.

Last August Logan had his worst month

with an era of 6.75 but rebounded in

September with 3-1 record and 2.00 era.

He does almost every thing close besides August Logan might win 15 or 16 games.

The Mariners had most of their opening 

day lineup. JP Crawford didn't play Sunday and won't on final spring game Monday.

He will be ready for opening day. Eugenio Suarez dh and Tommy LA Stella played 

third bsse. He and Julio had two hits each.

Marco Gonzales will start Monday and after team heads to Seattle.

Outfielder Kole Calhoun was released to

become a free agent. Rule 5 pick was 

returned to the Cubs as the Mariners didn't 

have room for him. Left handed pitch Gabe

Speier was optioned to Tacoma. Final 

cuts will happen Monday. Go M's.

Gonzaga Blown Out

The Gonzaga  Bulldogs continue having

problems year after year when they get

to final eight or four. I  supposed  it would 

be nice  if the Washington Huskies and 

the Washington State Cougars had the

same problem.  Lol

Connecticut 82 Gonzaga 54

The Zags were down by seven at halftime 

39-32 however Connecticut blew them out 

in the second half. The Connecticut  Huskies 

had 43 points in the second half while Zags 

had 22. 

The Huskies have dominated every team

they have beat in the tournament.  Right

now they should  be the team favorite to

win the championship. 

Gonzaga goes home knowing they got

beat by a better  team  at least on Saturday 

night.  Mark Few job is to get the players

who are staying  ready  for next season.

Go Zags!