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Mariners Game Notes: Start Time, Lineups and More

By Brian Helberg

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The Seattle Mariners (15-19) will battle the Boston Red Sox (17-18) on Friday night at Safeco Field. First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 pm from the corner of Edgar & Dave. The Sox took the first game of this 4-game set last night, and J.A. Happ (3-1, 3.29 ERA) will be tasked with evening the series for Seattle. Clay Buchholz‘s (2-4, 5.73 ERA) pitching has been almost as bad as his hair style in 2015, but he will toe the rubber for Boston on Friday night.

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Despite losing the series opener a night ago, the Mariners remain in 3rd place in the American League West. The M’s are currently 6.5 games behind the division leading Houston Astros.

Mariners’ Skipper Lloyd McClendon and Red Sox Manager John Farrell have released the following lineups for tonight’s game:

After struggling collectively as a team during the last 2 games, McClendon has altered his lineup a little bit tonight. Justin Ruggiano is playing center field and hitting 6th tonight for the Mariners. Ruggiano has been solid this season for the M’s, and he is the best defensive center fielder currently on the ball club. Rickie Weeks will get some much needed at bats, as he is penciled in as Seattle’s designated hitter on Friday. Weeks made a costly error in left field last night, and he has failed to impress in his first season in Seattle.

Brad Miller Back at SS

Brad Miller made his first career start in left field last night, and he fared remarkably well. However, he is subbing in for Chris Taylor at shortstop. Miller was the M’s every day shortstop until Taylor was recalled from Tacoma a couple weeks ago. Taylor has been awful in every way since returning to the big leagues, and Miller is currently riding a 3-game hitting streak. Miller is one of the few M’s who is producing at the plate lately, and he will get a chance tonight to impress at short.

Austin Jackson Making Progress

The Mariners have been without their starting center fielder for nearly 2 weeks. Austin Jackson has been sidelined since spraining his ankle on May 3 in Houston. Jackson is said to be nearing a return, and today he did some agility work with M’s trainer Rick Griffin.

It is expected AJ will need a shot rehab assignment before lacing up his spikes at Safeco Field. Dustin Ackley and Justin Ruggiano have filled in admirably, but Jackson’s superb defense has been missed. I think we will see the 28-year-old Denton, TX product patrolling center field before we flip the calendar to June.

Apr 29, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Seattle Mariners second baseman Robinson Cano (22) reacts during the first inning against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Pick to Click

The Mariners’ bats have gone silent over the past 2 games, combining to go 1 for 19 with runners in scoring position. Obviously, this will have to change if the M’s hope to come out on top tonight. Robinson Cano has not looked like himself over the course of the first 6 weeks of the season. However, Robby has been slowing turning things around, posting a .344 batting average over his last 8 games with a pair of doubles and 4 RBI’s. I predict he will lead the way for Seattle on Friday night, tallying at least 2 hits and driving in 2 runs for the home side.

Final Score Prediction

I came nowhere close to getting the score right last night, but hopefully tonight will go better. J.A. Happ has been very effective the season for the M’s, and Clay Buchholz has had moments of brilliance during his career. However, Buchholz has not looked sharp in 2015, and he might be just what the doctor ordered to get the Mariners’ offense going. I predict the M’s will even the series, winning 5-3 on Friday night.

Be sure to check back after the game tonight for a full recap of the Mariners’ victory. (Fingers crossed!)

Next: Mariners Game Notes: Brad Miller to Make 1st Career Start in LF

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