SODO MOJO
FanSided

Mariners Game Notes: M’s Hope to Find their Groove in Motown

By Brian Helberg

facebooktwitterreddit

The Seattle Mariners (42-50) will take on the Detroit Tigers (45-46) Monday night in the Motor City. First pitch is scheduled for 4:08 pm from Comerica Park in Detroit. J.A. Happ (4-5, 4.14 ERA) will toe the rubber for Seattle in the series opener. Alfredo Simon (8-6, 4.53 ERA) will will get the ball for the home side.

More from Mariners News

Root Sports Northwest will carry the game live locally, and MLB.tv subscribers can watch worldwide on connected devices.

Mariners’ skipper Lloyd McClendon and Tigers’ manager Brad Ausmus have released the following lineups for Monday’s lid-lifter:

J.A. Happ Recalled; Jesus Montero Demoted to Tacoma

J.A. Happ will start tonight’s game for the Maniners after being recalled from Bakersfield on Monday. Happ was sent down following his final start before the All-Star break to make room for an extra hitter. This had nothing to do with Happ’s performance, and everything to do with numbers. The 32-year-old southpaw sports a 4-5 record with a 4.14 ERA across 17 outings in 2015. Happ was one of the M’s better hurlers at the start of the season, but he has posted a disappointing 5.93 ERA over his last 6 starts.

Jesus Montero was sent back to Tacoma in a corresponding move. Montero did a decent job for Seattle in limited action, going 3 for 10 with 1 RBI, 1 run scored and 3 walks. He is raking this season in Tacoma, posting a .332 batting average with 15 home runs and 68 RBI’s through 84 games. The 26-year-old former top prospect was elected to the AAA All-Star Game this year, and I expect we have not seen the last of Montero in Seattle.

Charlie Furbush Throws Bullpen Session

Bob Dutton of The News Tribune is reporting that Charlie Furbush is getting some work in today at Safeco Field. The 29-year-old southpaw has been on the disabled list since July 9th due to left biceps tendentious. Furbush was one of the M’s most dominant relievers prior to the injury. Through 33 appearances this season, Furbush has a 1-1 record with a 2.08 ERA. Dutton suggests that a simulated game may be on the horizon for Furbush, and a rehab stint in Tacoma would likely follow. There is no timetable for his return yet, but barring any setbacks, I think he will rejoin the M’s bullpen in early August.

Jul 18, 2015; Bronx, NY, USA; Seattle Mariners second baseman Robinson Cano (22) blows a bubble as he runs up the first baseline after hitting a two run home run against the New York Yankees during the sixth inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports

Pick to Click

Not many Mariners’ fans would describe Robinson Cano as a power hitter this season, but he will get an opportunity to hit cleanup tonight for Seattle. Cano blasted a pair of home runs on Saturday afternoon in New York, and perhaps Lloyd is hoping for an encore performance. The 32-year-old is hitting much better as of late, posting a .290 batting average with 6 home runs and 14 RBI’s since June 19th. Robby boasts a .444 career average versus Simon during his career, so hopefully he can lead the M’s to victory tonight. Look for Cano to tally at least 2 hits and 2 RBI’s.

Final Score Prediction

The Mariners lost a pair of 1-run games this past weekend to the American League East leading New York Yankees. Despite the losses, Seattle played a little bit better than people anticipated in the Big Apple. Hopefully they can carry that over into what figures to be a critical series this week in Motown. The M’s cannot afford to be “too proud to beg” right now, because if they are not careful, Seattle will find out “what becomes of the broken hearted.”

I expect a high scoring affair this evening, which usually does not bode well for Seattle. However, a good portion of their lineup has hit Alfredo Simon hard, and I predict that trend will continue. Look for the Mariners to beat the Tigers 6-4 in the series opener on Monday night in Detroit.

Next: Mariners Minor League Report: Who's Hot & Who's Not

More from SoDo Mojo

Home/Mariners News