Predicting The Mariners Opening Day Lineup

September 22, 2013; Anaheim, CA, USA; Seattle Mariners catcher Mike Zunino (3) mishandles the ball on a throw during the seventh inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Even-line for the bettors:

So far this offseason the M’s have signed a stable of catchers (John Buck, Humberto Quintero, and Jesus Sucre has recovered from injury) to compete and help educate youngster Mike Zunino.

However, when all is said and done, Mike Zunino should be the starting catcher come Opening Day. And John Buck should be his backup.

Let’s just hope Big Z doesn’t backtrack on bringing Zunino up last season. That would only prove people’s concerns that he often doesn’t know what he is doing.

Brad Miller should be starting at shortstop too. It could be Nick Franklin, but that seems unlikely. Miller proved he had skill at the plate last season, so if he makes any markable improvements to his defensive game he should be out there from day one.

Even though the outfield is a mess of “Cheaper by the Dozen” proportions, you can 50/50 pencil in Dustin Ackley as the starting center fielder.

Aside from recently re-signed Franklin Gutierrez, he is the only Mariner besides Michael Saunders with serviceable outfield skills. And we know we can’t trust Guti worth a lick to start Opening Day.