Mariners Game Preview: Karns Wins 5th starter spot

Nate Karns will be the M’s 5th starter to open the season and gets the start this afternoon.

The Seattle Mariners (14-12-2) will take on the Kansas City Royals (12-17) this afternoon at Peoria Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for 1:10 pm PT as the Mariners will give the ball to Nate Karns (1-1, 6.75) to face the Royals Kris Medlen (1-1, 6.57).

This morning the Mariners optioned 3 players to Tacoma, including starting pitcher James Paxton, shortstop Chris Taylor, and outfielder Stefen Romero.

These moves gave the 5th starter spot to Karns and the utility infielder role to Luis Sardinas. Dae-Ho Lee will most likely take the right handed platoon spot alongside Adam Lind at first base.

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Karns will be making his 6th start of the spring, and has allowed 12 earned runs on 21 hits over 16 innings of work, while walking 7 and striking out 12. Here, one week from opening day, Karns will look to get into season form in his next start or two. Hopefully today he can get into a rhythm, throwing strikes and walking fewer batters, that he can sustain into the regular season.

Medlen is making his 5th start of the spring and has allowed 9 runs on 16 hits over 12.1 innings of work. He has struck out 15 and walked only two, but he has allowed 5 homeruns. 2016 will be Medlen’s first season with the Royals, having spent his first 5 with Atlanta.

Here are today’s lineups as announced by M’s skipper Scott Servais and Royals Manager Ned Yost, and reported by Ryan Divish:

This lineup is just about what we’ll be seeing on opening day. Daniel Robertson won’t be the everyday right fielder, he will start the season in the minors. That spot will be shared between Seth Smith and Franklin Gutierrez who have been great this spring. But Robertson has also been very good this spring, batting .389 with 14 hits, 4 doubles, 3 triples and 10 RBI.Other than that, we will see a lineup full of regular players! How exciting!

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You can catch today’s game on Root Sports and it can also be streamed on MLB.tv through your connected devices. Or listen to the game on 710 ESPN if you’re in the pacific northwest!