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Mariners Game Notes: Start Time, Lineups and Weather Update

By Brian Helberg

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The Seattle Mariners (7-11) will take on the Texas Rangers (7-11) in the opener of a 3-game series on Monday night. First pitch is scheduled for 5:05 pm from Globe Life Park in Arlington. Taijuan Walker (0-2, 10.66 ERA) will be tasked with getting the M’s back on track tonight. Veteran right-hander Yovani Gallardo (2-2, 3.92 ERA) will toe the rubber for the Rangers. Seattle won 2 of 3 against Texas last weekend, but Gallardo was the winning pitcher in the Rangers lone win. Root Sports Northwest will broadcast the game locally, and MLB.tv subscribers can watch on connected devices.

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After yesterday’s loss, the M’s are currently tied for 4th place in the American League West with the Texas Rangers. Both clubs sit 4.0 games back of the division leading Houston Astros.

Mariners’ skipper Lloyd McClendon and Rangers’ Manager Jeff Banister have released the following lineups for tonight’s game:

Major Changes in Starting 9

The Mariners seem to have a drastically different lineup every game, and tonight’s lineup is possibly the strangest yet. Justin Ruggiano is spelling Austin Jackson in center field and will hit leadoff for Seattle. The 2, 3, 4 and 5 hitters remain the same as yesterday, but that is hardly surprising given their incredible production. Rickie Weeks is typically hitting leadoff when he starts, but tonight he will hit 6th in the order. Logan Morrison will get the night off with veteran Willie Bloomquist replacing him at first base and hitting 8th.

Tonight’s lineup is arguably the weakest of season. However, I like the move to keep the hot hitting Brad Miller at shortstop and sub Bloomquist for LoMo. This group may not be intimating on paper, but you have a good chance to win anytime Robinson Cano, Nelson Cruz and Kyle Seager are in your starting 9.

Rain Could Mean Delayed Start to Game

It appears the Mariners have brought the Pacific Northwest rain with them to Texas. Rain is currently falling in Arlington, TX and there is a thunderstorm warning in the area. The tarp at Globe Life Park went on around 3:15 pm PT, and according to Greg Johns of MLB.com, the start time tonight has been pushed back to 6 pm PT. A quick check with Weather.com shows that there is a strong chance of rain until roughly 5:15 pm PT. It sounds as though the game is likely to happen, but it may extend deep into the Texas night.

Pick to Click

Apr 26, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Mariners third baseman Kyle Seager (15) gets a hit against the Minnesota Twins in the sixth inning at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports

Nelson Cruz is 5 for 5 during his career against tonight’s starter, Yovani Gallardo. However, picking Cruz as my pick to click is far too easy. I have settled on Kyle Seager as my pick to click tonight against the Rangers. Seags has mashed during his career at Globe Life Park, hitting .353 with 7 home runs and 22 RBI’s. I predict he will have at least 2 hits tonight, with 1 being a deep home run to right field.

Final Score Prediction

The Mariners have been scuffling lately, but they will square off with one of the weaker teams in baseball this week in Arlington. This series is a great opportunity for Seattle to get back to their winning ways. I expect to see a strong outing from Taijuan Walker this evening, and hopefully a good showing from the M’s bats. Gallardo is a quality starter, but I predict a 6-4 victory for the Mariners in the series opener on Monday night.

Check back with SoDo Mojo following tonight’s game for a full recap of the Mariners’ victory over the Rangers (fingers crossed!)

Next: Mariners Game Recap: Elias Pitches Well, but M's Lose Again

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