Top 5 Home Series for Mariners in 2016

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Jul 12, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; General view of Safeco Field during the fourth inning of a game between the Los Angeles Angels and Seattle Mariners. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports /

Ranking the top five must see series’ of the Mariners’ 2016 season.

There is a lot of intrigue storylines heading into the 2016 regular season with these Seattle Mariners. Part of the intrigue is how this newly constructed lineup will play at their home ballpark of Safeco Field, where they went 36-45 last season, second worst in the American League.

Another part of the excitement is the fact that there should be some interesting baseball being played late into the summer. There are a few key teams and key series throughout the 2016 home schedule. Perhaps you only want to go to one or two games this season and are looking for a game or two to splurge on. Here is a list of the top 5 series at Safeco Field this season. Buy your tickets now!

Next: The defending champs come to town

Nov 1, 2015; New York City, NY, USA; Kansas City Royals first baseman Eric Hosmer reacts after scoring the tying run against the New York Mets in the 9th inning in game five of the World Series at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /

5. April 29-May 1, vs. Kansas City Royals

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The defending World Series champions come to town in the form of the Kansas City Royals. The Mariners seem to be trying to mimic the Royals with building a team based on defense, base running, timely hitting and speed. Plus as a baseball fan, it’s always cool to see the World Series champs come to town and see how your home team stacks up. Fans will get a chance to see guys like Eric Hosmer, Lorenzo Cain, Yordano Ventura, Alex Gordon and Salvador Perez.

The Mariners dropped the series at Safeco last season, losing two games and winning one. This will be an early gauge on just how good the Mariners can be, and if they are up to the level of the American League’s elite.

Next: The hated Yankees come to Seattle in August

Jun 1, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Mariners fans hold signs referring to a steroid suspension last season of New York Yankees designated hitter Alex Rodriguez (not pictured) during the fifth inning at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports /

4. August 22-24, vs. New York Yankees

Any series with the New York Yankees going out west is big. They draw huge crowds, even if most of them are annoying New York fans. This will be a busy middle-of-the-week series at Safeco. It’s always a circus when Alex Rodriguez comes back to Seattle. He left the Mariners for a $200+ million contract with the Texas Rangers after the 2000 season. He is booed everywhere he goes, but it will be especially loud from the home fans of the team that originally drafted A-Rod #1 overall in 1993.

The Yankees also will have the likes of Mark Texeira, Carlos Beltran and new Yankee Starlin Castro in the lineup as well.

Next: The Redbirds fly into Safeco

Oct 2, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; St. Louis Cardinals second baseman Greg Garcia (35) hits a double against the Atlanta Braves during the first inning at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /

3. June 24-26, vs. St. Louis Cardinals

Year in and year out, the St. Louis Cardinals are the class of the National League. This will be their first visit to Safeco Field since 2002. The Cardinals have been to four World Series and won two titles since then. They are one of the deepest organizations in baseball, and always field a competitive team.

The Cardinals feature prominent players such as Matt Carpenter, Matt Holliday, Yadier Molina and Adam Wainwright. Cards’ fans travel really well, so there should be a packed stadium for this weekend series. The series against the Royals will test how the Mariners size up against the elite American League teams, and the same goes for the Cardinals in the National League.

Next: The last series of the season coulee determine the M's fate

Apr 24, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Mariners pitcher Felix Hernandez (34) looks in toward the plate during the sixth inning against the Minnesota Twins at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports /

2. September 29-October 2, vs. Oakland Athletics

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This is an automatic because it is the last series of the regular season. It all hinges on where the Mariners are in the American League West standings. If all goes according to plan, the M’s will be fighting for a playoff spot when they host the Oakland A’s in late September. This is a four-game series to end the season against a division opponent, and it doesn’t get any bigger than that. This is self-explanatory.

Aside from the possible playoff run, the Athletics have some interesting players to keep track of. Their star pitcher Sonny Gray could take the mound in the season’s last series, and Billy Burns is one of the fastest outfielders in the game.

Next: It doesn't get better than Griffey weekend!

Oct 1, 2015; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Reds former player Ken Griffey JR. looks on from sidelines in the second half against the Miami Hurricanes at Nippert Stadium. The Bearcats won 34-23. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /

1. August 5-7, vs. Los Angeles Angels

This weekend will be one of the biggest home series in franchise history, and it has nothing to do with the Los Angeles Angels. It is Ken Griffey Jr. weekend. The Kid’s number will be retired and a ceremony will take place prior to first pitch in Saturday’s game. That Friday is Griffey Bobblehead night, and on Sunday you can get a Griffey replica jersey. Not a bad way to celebrate the best player in franchise history, and arguably the best athlete to ever play professional sports in the Emerald City.

Next: Mariners Roundtable: Most Surprising Players

Griffey will be the first ever Mariner inducted into the Hall of Fame, and the first to have his number retired. The whole weekend, Safeco Field will celebrate Griffey’s career with the M’s and his Hall of Fame induction. This will assuredly be one of the most memorable weekends in Safeco Field history.

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