Mariners Game Preview: Iwakuma Looks to get the Mariners in the Win Column

Mar 16, 2016; Peoria, AZ, USA; Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Hisashi Iwakuma (18) throws during the second inning against the San Francisco Giants at Peoria Sports Complex. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 16, 2016; Peoria, AZ, USA; Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Hisashi Iwakuma (18) throws during the second inning against the San Francisco Giants at Peoria Sports Complex. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports /
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Hisashi Iwakuma will make his first start of the 2016 season against the Texas Rangers and will try to get the Mariners their first win of the young season.

The Seattle Mariners (0-1) will take on the Texas Rangers (1-0) on Tuesday afternoon in Arlington, Texas. First pitch is scheduled for 5:05 pm from Global Life Park. Hisashi Iwakuma (0-0 0.00 ERA) will take the hill for the Mariners, and Martin Perez (0-0, 0.00 ERA) will start for the Rangers.  They will each make their 2016 debuts for their respective teams.

Hisashi Iwakuma who had initially agreed to terms with the Los Angeles Dodgers this offseason and had his deal unravel due to concerns about his physical is happy to be back with the Mariners where he has been one of the AL’s best starters over his 4 years in MLB.  The 34 year old will make his 2016 debut against the Texas Rangers.  Iwakuma has a 4-2 career record in Arlington against the Rangers with a 3.67 ERA and beat the Rangers both times he faced them last season.  Of the Rangers starters, Iwakuma has not faced Robinson Chirinos, Delino DeShields or Ian Desmond.  However, there are several Rangers who have had success against Iwakuma.  Adrian Beltre, the former Mariner has faced Iwakuma the most of all the Rangers hitters 36 times and has hit 3 home runs against him and a .306 average.  Rougned Odor (.455) and Prince Fielder (.308) have also had success in their limited at bats against Iwakuma.  Iwakuma had a 9-5 record in 2015 with a 3.54 ERA and a 5.29 strikeout to walk ratio.  In other words, don’t look for the 34 year old veteran right hander to walk anyone.

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Martin Perez will make his 2016 debut tonight for the Rangers against the Mariners.  Perez made 14 starts in 2015 and had a 3-6 record with a 4.46 ERA for the Rangers.  However in his 4 Major League seasons, the left hander has not had anywhere near 20 starts in a season since his rookie season in 2013.  Kyle Seager has faced Perez more than any of the other Mariners starters and has a .500 batting average against Perez including 3 home runs against him in 20 at bats.  Robinson Cano and Nelson Cruz have also had success against Perez in their limited at bats against him.  Martin hopes to get off to a good start in 2016.

Mariners skipper Scott Servais and Rangers manager Jeff Banister have released the following lineups for today’s ballgame:

Seattle Mariners Manager Scott Servias has changed yesterday’s lineup just slightly.  He has moved Chris Iannetta up to seventh batter.  This is most likely due to the fact that he got on base 3 times yesterday.  If a hitter is hot, you ride the hot hand.  He is also going with Dae-ho Lee in the eighth spot and he will get the start at first base.  Lee will be making his first MLB start.  He made his debut yesterday in his pinch hit at bat for Leonys Martin.  Other than that, the Mariners lineup is staying the same since the Mariners are facing another left hander today.  The Rangers lineup is staying the same against Iwakuma today.  The Rangers will be facing another right hander today as they did yesterday.

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The Mariners will look to get on the win column today.  It’s imperative that they get a few wins on the board against their AL West opponent and begin to gain some traction so as not to fall behind in the standings.  Losing the first game isn’t a big deal, but if they lose today they will not have a chance to win the series and will be staring at a sweep to an AL West opponent.  That’s not a good way to start the season.

Today’s game will be broadcast by Root Sports Northwest and 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: Mariners Roundtable: Can the M's Make the Playoffs in 2016?