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Mariners Game Notes: The Bartender’s Back, McClendon Taking New Approach

By Brian Helberg

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The Seattle Mariners (41-47) are in the Big Apple tonight to take on the New York Yankees (48-40) in the opener of a 3-game weekend series. First pitch is scheduled for 4:08 pm from Yankee Stadium in the Bronx. Mike Montgomery (4-3, 2.29 ERA) has been a revelation this season, and he will get the ball for the M’s this evening. Yankees’ ace Masahiro Tanaka (5-3, 3.63 ERA) will toe the rubber for the Yanks.

As always, Root Sports Northwest will carry the game live in the Pacific Northwest. MLB Network will also broadcast the game nationwide, and MLB.tv subscribers can watch across the globe on connected devices.

Tonight’s game is the first since the All-Star break, and represents the start of the unofficial second half of the season. The Mariners currently sit 7.5 games back of the American League West leading Los Angeles Angels, and 7 games back in the hunt for the wildcard.

Mariners’ skipper, Lloyd McClendon and Yankees’ boss, Joe Girardi have released the following lineups for Friday’s lid-lifter:

Tom Wilhelmsen Recalled from Tacoma

The Seattle Mariners made a roster move on Friday morning, recalling Tom Wilhelmsen from Tacoma to fill the spot left when they demoted Danny Farquhar last Sunday. The veteran reliever made a quick pit stop with the Rainiers prior to the All-Star break, but he will be welcomed back into the M’s bullpen tonight. The Bartender has gone 1-2 and posted a 4.68 ERA across 25 innings so far this season. The Mariners’ are desperate for some help in the back end, and hopefully Wilhelmsen can provide them with that.

Lloyd McClendon to be ‘Tougher’ on the M’s in Second Half

The Mariners’ manager has come under fire this season, and rightfully so. I recently highlighted a few areas that McClendon could improve in. Lloyd sat down with Ryan Divish of the Seattle Times this week, and opened up about the M’s struggles this season. McClendon says that he gave his players, “a lot of string” this year, and he will change his approach moving forward. He suggests he will be much tougher on the M’s, and demand more from them during the final 2 and a half months. I think this is the right idea, but I just hope it is not too late.

Jun 30, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; Seattle Mariners shortstop Brad Miller (5) hits a two run home run during the fourth inning against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

Pick to Click

The M’s offense has been a wasteland in 2015, but McClendon is making a significant change at the top of the lineup tonight in New York. I suggested moving Brad Miller up in the order yesterday, and he will get a chance to lead off for Seattle on Friday. Miller enters play hitting .353 with 2 home runs and 8 RBI’s since June 24th. Crazy Legs also has 3 stolen bases over his last 16 games, and his speed should play well in the leadoff spot. Look for Miller to set the tone by collecting a pair of hits with at least 1 run scored tonight.

Final Score Prediction

The next 2 weeks are the biggest 15 games of the Mariners’ season. Tonight represents a golden opportunity to get the important stretch started on the right foot. Monty allowed just 1 run across 6 solid innings against the Yankees in his big league debut last month at Safeco. The lanky southpaw has been one of the more effective hurlers in the M’s rotation since his call up, and I expect more of the same tonight. The bats are in tough against Tanaka, but it will likely only require 4 runs to get the job done tonight. I am predicting Seattle will trounce the Yanks 5-1 in the series opener Friday night at Yankee Stadium.

Next: 5 Mariners that Need to Step Up in the 2nd Half

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