Spring Training: Seattle Mariners vs. San Diego Padres (Lineups)

Feb 25, 2014; Mesa, AZ, USA; Seattle Mariners third baseman Kyle Seager (15) fields grrounders during camp at Peoria Sports Complex. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports

The Lloyd McClendon era in Seattle begins today as the new-look Seattle Mariners take the field in their Spring Training Cactus League opener against the San Diego Padres in Peoria at 12:05 pm.

The game can be heard on 710 ESPN Seattle and 710Sports.com

Here are the starting lineups for the game:

Mariners

1. CF Abraham Almonte
2. 3B Kyle Seager
3. 2B Robinson Cano
4. DH Logan Morrison
5. 1B Justin Smoak
6. RF Michael Saunders
7. LF Dustin Ackley
8. SS Brad Miller
9. C Mike Zunino
SP Erasmo Ramirez

Padres

1. CF Cameron Maybin
2. 3B Alexi Amarista
3. 1B Yonder Alonso
4. 2B Jedd Gyorko
5. DH Xavier Nady
6. LF Alex Dickerson
7. RF Kyle Blanks
8. SS Ryan Jackson
9. C Rene Rivera
SP Eric Stults

A few early takeaways from this lineup. First, the presence of Almonte starting the game in center and leading off. According to Bob Dutton, McClendon says:

We shall see how he handles the role in his first spring action. Secondly, Miller starting at short over Franklin. It’s just me, but I would think if this were a position battle, they would have Nick Franklin out there early, to see how he could handle things. I’m just speculating here, but I think Miller has the job (barring any major setbacks).

Finally, we will get to see early, how well this lefty-heavy lineup can do against lefties. Eric Stults was 11-13 in 2013 with a 3.93 ERA. Lefties managed only a .185 batting average against Stults in 2013 (compared to .301 to righties).

Should be interesting to watch as six of the starting nine are lefty and two are switch hitters who will be hitting from their weaker right side.

We will have analysis and evaluation of the game afterwards as well as any breaking news.