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Mariners Game Notes: Cano, Seager Return for Star Wars Night!

By Brian Helberg

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The Seattle Mariners (30-37) will play host to the Houston Astros (40-28) on Friday night at Safeco Field in the opener of a 3-game weekend series. First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 pm from the corner of Edgar & Dave. Roenis Elias (3-4, 3.67 ERA) was lit up by the Astros last week, but he will be tasked with shutting down one of the hottest clubs in baseball tonight. Lance McCullers (3-1, 2.00 ERA) held the M’s hitless through 5 innings in his last start, and he will toe the rubber tonight for Houston. Root Sports Northwest will carry Friday’s game locally, and MLB.tv subscribers can watch worldwide on connected devices.

The M’s loss last night pushed them further down the American League West standings. Seattle remains in 4th place, but now trails the division leading Astros by 9.5 games. This deficit represents a new season high (or low) for the M’s.

Mariners’ skipper Lloyd McClendon and Astros’ manager A.J. Hinch have released the following lineups for tonight’s series opener:

Robinson Cano and Kyle Seager Return to Mariners’ Lineup

Robinson Cano was absent from the M’s lineup on Thursday against the San Francisco Giants due to a stiff lower back. However, he appeared to be in high spirits and moving freely when the cameras caught him numerous times in the dugout during the game. Perhaps, Cano was actually dealing with a bruised ego after getting picked off second base and committing an error in Wednesday’s game.

Kyle Seager was a late scratch from the Mariners’ lineup last night with food poisoning. I have more faith in the legitimacy of Seager’s ailment. Considering the lack of infield depth, it will be a big relief to see Seags manning the hot corner in the series opener tonight.

It’s Star Wars Night at Safeco Field!

A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away…the Mariners were actually a decent team.

It may only happen once a year, but tonight, baseball fans and Star Wars fans become one. The Mariners are hosting Star Wars night on Friday at Safeco Field. A special fireworks display will be occur after the game set to the music of the films.

Hopefully, Root Sports will show less of the M’s grounding out to first base, and more of the costumes the fans are wearing. The Mariners are playing some of the most boring baseball in the league in 2015, and spectators dressed up like Wookiees and R2-D2’s may be the most interesting part of tonight’s telecast.

Jun 5, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Mariners center fielder Austin Jackson (16) hits a triple in the ninth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Safeco Field. The Rays beat the Mariners 1-0. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports

Pick to Click

The Mariners were shut out a night ago, and have combined to tally 9 hits over their past 2 games. Logan Morrison and Austin Jackson are pretty much the only Mariners who present a threat at the plate these days. AJ is hitting .286 with a double, triple and 4 RBI’s over his last 5 games. I going to go with him as my pick to click tonight. Look for Jackson to collect 2 hits, an RBI and a stolen base on Friday night.

Final Score Prediction

It is hard to be overly optimistic about the M’s chances tonight given their 2-8 record against the Astros this season. Combine that with their 6-11 record in the month of June, and you would be crazy to pick Seattle to win tonight. I don’t know if it the Star Wars theme, or the fact that I have been doing a bit of day drinking, but I think the M’s will come out on top tonight. The Mariners will lay a beating on McCullers and the Astros, winning 8-2 on Friday night in the series opener. You never know, it could happen.

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