Seattle Mariners Gameday Preview at The Yankees

Apr 25, 2014; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Mariners starting pitcher

(29) pitches to the Texas Rangers during the first inning at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports

Initial Thoughts:

The Mariners have now won 4 of their last five, including a 6-3 win last night in a cold, windy, and rainy new Yankee Stadium.

Even though the pregame story was all about Robinson Cano, it was Corey Hart and Mike Zunino (with his first career 4-hit game) who provided the offense in the victory. Chris Young got his first win in the Major Leagues since 2014, and my boy Dustin Ackley provided a pinch-hit RBI.

‘Twas a good day for the Seattle Mariners.

Game Details:

Seattle Mariners (11-14)

New York Yankees (15-11)

Time of Game: 4:05 PM Pacific. Location: New York City, New York.

MATCHUPS:

Pitching:

Mariners Roenis Elias RHP (1-2, 3.54 ERA) vs. Yankees David Phelps (0-0, 3.86 ERA).

Edge: Elias. He may have gotten shelled in the 7-0 loss to the Rangers, but he has pitched well so far to start the season while receiving nominal run support from the offense. Phelps is replacing suspended Michael Pineda, and Phelps has been fine coming out of the ‘Pen this year, but nothing spectacular. There could be some long balls served into the right field porch tonight.

Probable Lineups:

Mariners:

Michael Saunders 8

Stefen Romero 9

Robinson Cano 4

Corey Hart DH

Justin Smoak 3

Kyle Seager 5

Dustin Ackley 7

Mike Zunino 2

Brad Miller 6

Of note: After giving Miller the day off so he wouldn’t have to face C.C. Sabathia, expect him back in and playing short stop. I think Almonte needs to go, permanently, after a 1-5 performance with 3 strikeouts, two of which were looking and just painful to witness. Saunders can play center, leaving Cole Gillespie and Romero to split right field duties.

Yankees

Jacoby Ellsbury 8

Derek Jeter 6

Carlos Beltran 9

Brian McCann 2

Alfonso Soriano 7

Mark Teixeira 3

Yangervis Solarte 5

Brett Gardner DH

Brian Roberts 4

Of note: the Mariners pitching staff held the 3-4-5 hitters to an 0-12 line with 5 strikeouts last night. Teixeira hit a homer over the short porch last night, and the only other RBI came off of Gardner’s bat in the ninth when Fernando Rodney decided to try to make the game interesting. For a chance at the victory tonight, the Mariners will need to keep those middle of the order bats quiet yet again.

Keys to Mariners Victory:

1) Sit on the short porch. With righty Phelps throwing for the Yankees, the lefties in the Mariners lineup should be licking their lips at the chance to hit dingers over the short fence in right field. Maybe Seags can add to his team leading 5 home runs and guarantee the series win for the Mariners.

2) STRIKE OUT LESS. I feel like a broken record. The Mariners had 15 hits last night, and 12 strikeouts. They didn’t walk once. Their climbing strikeout totals are troubling, especially because it’s a detriment to scoring with RISP.

Other Thoughts:

Today is supposed to be an ugly one– weather wise– in NYC. There is a very good chance this game could get postponed, and eventually moved to tomorrow where the M’s and Yanks would play a double-header. Keep an eye here at Sodo Mojo and on Twitter for updates on the game situation.

Score Prediction:

Mariners 5, Yankees 3.