Seattle Mariners Take on Diamondbacks and White Sox in Split Squad Action

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Mar 4, 2015; Peoria, AZ, USA; Seattle Mariners players stand in the dugout before a spring training baseball game against the San Diego Padres at Peoria Sports Complex. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

The Seattle Mariners (2-1) are set to partake in their first split squad games of the spring. The M’s will be hosting the Arizona Diamondbacks (2-1) this afternoon at the Peoria Sports Complex. First pitch is set for 12:05 PST in Peoria, AZ. Some of the other Mariners will be making the short trip south to Glendale, AZ to take on the Chicago White Sox (1-2). First pitch at Camelback Ranch is also scheduled for 12:05 pm PST.

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Neither game is televised, but you will able to hear the smooth stylings of Rick Rizzs on 710 ESPN when the Mariners take on the D-backs in Peoria. MLBT.tv will also be carrying the audio broadcast. Unfortunately, The M’s game against the Pale Hos will not be broadcasted in any format.

Hisashi Iwakuma (15-9, 3.52 ERA) will make his spring debut for the Mariners when they take on the Diamondbacks this afternoon. 29-year-old right-hander Josh Collmenter (11-9, 3.46 ERA) will be on the hill for the D-backs. Over in Glendale, non-roster invitee Jordan Pries (9-8, 4.06 ERA in AAA) will be toeing the rubber for the M’s. Pries spent 2014 with the Mariners triple-A affiliate in Tacoma. The White Sox will counter with former Mariner Hector Noesi (8-11, 4.39 ERA).

The starting lineups for both games were announced earlier this morning.

D'backs lineup is out. Yasmany Tomas will play. Here's lineups for both Mariners games. pic.twitter.com/5uxLcvOKaF
— Ryan Divish (@RyanDivish) March 7, 2015

The Seattle Mariners finished 2014 at 87-75, good for third in the American League, but missing out on the postseason by just one game. The M’s have put together a fantastic offseason, making quality additions all over the roster. Seattle has to be considered the favorites on paper to supplant the Angels as division champs. The Mariners appear poised to make the playoffs in 2015 for the first time since 2001.

Click through to the next slide to find out what to watch (listen) for in today’s ballgame.

Next: Kuma Makes Spring Debut

Feb 21, 2015; Peoria, AZ, USA; Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Hisashi Iwakuma (18) throws to first base during camp at Peoria Sports Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports

Hisashi Iwakuma Makes Spring Debut

Hisashi Iwakuma had a strong season statistically, going 15-9 and recording a 3.52 ERA. His numbers hide the fact that Iwakuma was frustratingly inconsistent in 2014. However, Iwakuma has been one of the best hurlers in the big leagues since his debut in 2012. The 33-year-old has gone 38-20 and posted an impressive 3.07 ERA across 524.0 career innings. Although, he is not considered a power righty, the movement Kuma is able to generate leads to plenty of strikeouts. Known for his incredible command, Kuma has issued just 1.8 walks per 9 innings over the course of his career.

Iwakuma missed the first month of the 2014 season due to injury, but he wasted little time making an impact after being activated from the disabled list. Kuma went 12-6 and recorded a miniscule 2.57 ERA from May 3^rd through August 19^th. Unfortunately for the M’s, he collapsed down the stretch, going 2-3 and posting a 7.88 ERA across his last 32 innings pitched. Iwakuma surrendered at least 4 earned runs in 6 of his final 7 outings.

Today’s game represents Hisashi Iwakuma’s first chance to show he is still the dominant pitcher who finished third in Cy Young voting in 2013. Without a blow it by you fastball, location will once again be key for Kuma this season. The Tokyo native stumbled last August and September, but I fully anticipate he will re-establish himself as one of the best right-handers in the game this year.

Next: Peterson, Kivlehan Impressing Early

Mar 4, 2015; Peoria, AZ, USA; Seattle Mariners third baseman

D.J. Peterson

(46) hits a home run in the first inning against the San Diego Padres during a spring training baseball game at Peoria Sports Complex. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

Youngsters Impressing Early

The Mariners selected D.J. Peterson in the first round of the 2013 draft out of the University of Arizona. Peterson represented the M’s at the Futures Game last season, and he managed to finish the season with the Mariners double-A affiliate in Jackson. Peterson hit a combined .297, smashed 31 home runs, and drove in 111 runs across two levels in 2014. The 23-year-old’s bat is said to be near Major League ready, and he has confirmed it thus far this spring. He homered in his very first spring at bat on Wednesday, and he enters play hitting .300 in Cactus League action.

D.J. Peterson got the start at third base on Friday. He looked shaky at the hot corner against the Dodgers. Peterson has looked much more comfortable this spring at first base, and that is where he will be stationed this afternoon when the M’s host the D-backs. I personally do not believe the Gilbert, AZ product will break camp with the M’s, but I would not be surprised if he is a mid-season call up in 2015.

Patrick Kivlehan is another young man who has really turned some heads in the first few games of the spring. Much like Peterson, Kivlehan started 2014 with the High Desert Mavericks of the California League, and finished with the Jackson Generals of the Southern League. Kivlehan dominated last season, hitting a combined .295 with 20 home runs and 103 RBI’s across 519 at bats. He hit a long home run to left-center field on Thursday against the Padres, and he has driven in 3 runs so far.

Next: The C&C Boys are at it Again Today Against Diamondbacks

Mar 5, 2015; Peoria, AZ, USA; Seattle Mariners designated hitter

Nelson Cruz

(23) celebrates with

Robinson Cano

(22) in the third inning during a spring training baseball game after hitting a two run homerun against the San Diego Padres at Peoria Sports Complex. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports

Nelson Cruz Makes Second Spring Start

When the Mariners inked Nelson Cruz to a four-year $57 million dollar deal, the signing was met with generally positive reviews. Cruz led the league by clubbing 40 long balls in 2014, and the Mariners are hoping his power will make the difference for them this season. He made a good first impression in his first start of the spring on Thursday. Cruz went 2-3, with 2 RBI’s and he added a tape measure shot to left field. The right-handed Cruz will be critical to the M’s success in 2015.

Robinson Cano may be the player who benefits the most from the addition of Nelson Cruz. Despite never having a true cleanup hitter behind him in the order, Cano excelled in his debut campaign with the M’s in 2014. With the powerful Cruz now residing in the cleanup spot, opposing pitchers will be forced to give Robby more pitches to hit this season. Cano went 2-3, with 2 runs scored and a double in Thursday’s game batting in front of Cruz. Hopefully, their early success is indicative of things to come for the C&C boys this season.

Next: Leone, Smith Scheduled to Pitch Today for M's

Aug 10, 2014; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Mariners relief pitcher

Dominic Leone

(52) pitches to the Chicago White Sox during the fifth inning at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports

Dominic Leone had a marvelous rookie campaign in Seattle last season. He was an unexpected contributor who made 57 appearances for the Mariners in 2014. Leone went 8-2, and posted a 2.12 ERA across 66.1 innings of work. Dom is expected to have an increased role in the M’s bullpen this season after the departure of flamethrower Brandon Mauer. The Mariners are expected to call on Leone in the middle innings of today’s tilt against the Diamondbacks. Leone has 1 scoreless inning under his belt thus far in Cactus League action.

After starring with the Rainiers for much of last season, Carson Smith made his Major League debut in early September. The 25-year-old went 1-0 and recorded a perfect 0.00 ERA across 8.1 innings in 2014. Smith is another guy who will be asked to help fill the void left by Mauer. The Midland, TX product will get a chance to pitch against the Chicago White Sox today in Glendale. Just like Leone, Smith has appeared in 1 game this spring, and held the opposition off the scoreboard. Smith has experience as a closer in the minor leagues, and I would not be surprised if he gets a chance to become the 9^th inning man in Seattle before long.

Next: Shortstop Battle Heating Up

Mar 4, 2015; Peoria, AZ, USA; Seattle Mariners shortstop

Chris Taylor

(1) runs out of the batter

Shortstop Battle Continues to Entertain

Brad Miller was in the game with the rest of the Mariners’ starters on Thursday against the San Diego Padres. This obviously suggests he is the early leader in the clubhouse to be the Mariners every day shortstop in 2015. Miller looked good defensively, and he recorded a walk and a strikeout at the plate. The 25-year-old struggled mightily in 2014, but he has the best combination of skills amongst his competitors at short. Miller will be starting at shortstop when the M’s take on the White Sox today in Glendale.

Chris Taylor was called up to the show last July, and he proved to be an impact performer down the stretch for the Mariners last season. Taylor is a quality defender, and he has shown himself to be a good contact hitter. The 24-year-old had a fantastic outing on Saturday afternoon against the Dodgers. Taylor battled swirling winds all day, but managed to make a couple of great plays with the leather. Taylor shined at the plate yesterday. In his first at bat, Taylor hit a triple into right-center field that one hoped the wall. In his next plate appearance, Taylor crushed a home run into the left field bullpen. Taylor finished the day 2-2 with 3 RBI’s.

This fight is far from over, but Chris Taylor delivered the first punch on Saturday to be the Mariners everyday shortstop in 2015.

Make sure you check back after game for our take on what stood out from the Mariners this afternoon.

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