Mariners Game Preview: King Felix to Make Second Start of Spring

King Felix will make his second start of the spring in this split squad affair.

The Seattle Mariners (9-8) will take on the Arizona Diamondbacks (13-4) in a split squad game tonight in Peoria. First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 pm PT. Felix Hernandez (0-1, 11.57) will take the mound for the Mariners tonight in his second start of the spring. Tyler Wagner (2-0, 5.40) is scheduled to pitch for the Diamondbacks.

Don’t let Felix’s early stats scare you, this is only spring training for crying out loud. We all know what the real King is capable of. Through 11 seasons, Felix is 143-101 with a 3.11 ERA in 334 starts. So it’s kind of not a big deal that he allowed 3 runs on six hits over 2.1 innings in his last start. Don’t hit the panic button, he’ll be fine.

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Tyler Wagner made 3 starts last year and went 0-2 with an ERA of 7.24 as a rookie. He allowed 11 runs on 22 hits over 13.2 innings of work. So far this spring, Wagner has allowed 3 runs on 6 hits over 5 innings.

Here are your lineups as announced by Mariners skipper Scott Servais and Diamondbacks manager Chip Hale:

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6 of the 9 starters in the lineup tonight will be regulars this season. Franklin Gutierrez has been red hot this spring, clubbing his fourth homer in yesterday’s ballgame. Robinson Cano and Nelson Cruz are in the lineup after also hitting homers in recent games. Adam Lind has had a solid spring hitting .313, going 5-16 with 4 doubles, 1 homerun, and 3 RBI.

Ketel Marte and Leonys Martin haven’t wowed with the bats so far in spring, but have a combined 7 stolen bases between them. Steve Clevenger will most likely be the backup catcher for the M’s in 2016 and is hitting .286 this spring with a double and 2 RBI.

Tonight’s game can be watched live on Root Sports or streamed through MLB.tv on connected devices. It can also be heard over the radio on 710 ESPN for listeners in the Pacific Northwest.

Next: Mariners Position Battle Update: 5th Starter

Follow SoDo Mojo on twitter for live updates throughout tonight’s game, and check back for a full recap of the action after the final out of is recorded. Go Mariners!