Mariners Game Preview: Paxton will Make his Fifth Start Today Against the Cubs

Mar 17, 2016; Mesa, AZ, USA; Seattle Mariners starting pitcher James Paxton (65) pitches during the third inning against the Oakland Athletics at HoHoKam Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 17, 2016; Mesa, AZ, USA; Seattle Mariners starting pitcher James Paxton (65) pitches during the third inning against the Oakland Athletics at HoHoKam Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports /
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James Paxton will make his fifth start of the spring today for the Mariners at Sloan Park in Mesa, Arizona and will face the Chicago Cubs .

The Seattle Mariners (13-12-2) will visit the Chicago Cubs (8-16-1) on Sunday afternoon in Mesa, Arizona. First pitch is scheduled for 1:05 pm from Sloan Park. James Paxton (1-1, 9.00 ERA) will take the bump for the Mariners, and Jason Hammel (2-0, 1.20 ERA) will start for the Cubs.

James Paxton will make his fifth start of the spring this afternoon for the Mariners.  The 27-year-old left hander is 1-1 with a 9.00 ERA through 11 innings and four outings this spring.  He is losing the battle against Nate Karns for the fifth spot in the starting rotation.  However, he will probably get extended today and if he can have a good outing against a very good Cubs team, he might have a chance to get back into the competition.  There is a lot to like about Paxton but he’s had a rough spring.  Time is running out for Paxton.

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Jason Hammel is also in a battle for the fifth spot in the Cubs starting rotation.  The 33-year-old right hander is having a terrific spring.  He is 2-0 with a 1.20 ERA through 15 innings and four starts.  This is highly attributed to the use of a personal catcher, Kyle Schwarber who usually plays left field.  Joe Maddon and the Cubs have discovered that the two work really well together.  Schwarber will be behind the plate today for Hammel.

Mariners skipper Scott Servais and Cubs manager Joe Maddon have released the following lineups for today’s ballgame:

The Mariners will have Nori Aoki batting leadoff and playing center field.  He will be followed by Ketel Marte in the lineup and he will play short stop.  Robinson Cano will bat third and play second base.  Adam Lind will DH in the fourth spot.  Franklin Gutierrez will bat fifth and be at left field.

Seth Smith who has been tearing the cover off the ball this spring will hit sixth and play right field today.  Dae-ho Lee will get the start at first base and bat eighth.  The Mariners have added Dae-ho Lee to the 40-man roster.  This leaves Jesus Montero‘s future with the big league club in doubt.  Utility man Luis Sardinas will bat ninth and play third base.

The Mariners have made three moves today according to Bob Dutton.  Most notable is utility man and local product Shawn O’Malley, who has been one of the best hitters for the Mariners this spring.  

Today’s game will not be broadcast by Root Sports Northwest, but MLB.tv subscribers can watch worldwide on connected devices. Fans from the Pacific Northwest can listen to Rick Rizzs and Aaron Goldsmith call the action on 710 ESPN Radio.

Next: How are the Mariners Top Prospects Faring This Spring