Mariners Game Preview: Walker Looks to Complete Sweep

The Mariners hope to complete their first sweep of the season this afternoon at Safeco Field against the Royals.

The Seattle Mariners (13-10) will play the final game of a three game series against the Kansas City Royals (12-11) on Sunday afternoon. Taijuan Walker (2-1, 1.44 ERA) will take the ball for the Mariners. The Royals will turn to Ian Kennedy (2-2, 2.77 ERA) to start Sunday afternoon’s game. First pitch is scheduled for 1:10 PM PT.

Taijuan Walker absolutely turned it on his last outing against Houston, pitching 7 strong innings, giving up one run with 11 strikeouts. That start was promising to watch. It showed Tai has started embodying the ideal of the dominant pitcher that we have wanted for him for so long. His start to the season has seen a 1.44 ERA (an April Mariners club record) and a 8.33 K/BB ratio (3rd in the Majors behind Clayton Kershaw and Noah Syndergaard).

Ian Kennedy has played for many teams over the course of his 9-year career, and was given a lot of criticism over the contract he signed with the Royals this past offseason. The former NL CY Young winner has been characterized with inconsistencies and under performing. With a month of starts under his belt with the Royals, Kennedy has had quality starts in three out of four outings. His worst start was his last, in which he gave up five earned runs in six innings against the Angels.

Here are today’s starting lineups as announced by Mariners manager Scott Servais and Royals’ Manager Ned Yost:

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April had moments of frustration for the Mariners, but ultimately it ended with a complete gem. The Mariners saw a 13-10 record (best April record since 2009), won 8 out of the last 10 games and more importantly won the last five consecutive series. Mariners’ pitching is second AL ERA leaders at 3.18, just behind the 2.62 mark set by the White Sox. May should start off with the same momentum that April finished with.

Pick to Click

Coming off his own personal Boomstick Bobblehead night, Nelson Cruz is my pick to click. In last night’s game Nelson walked twice and hit by two pitches. I feel like he will have something to prove, and hit his fifth home run of the season.

Next: Wade Miley Shuts Out Royals

Make sure you follow SoDo Mojo on twitter for live updates throughout today’s game, and check back after the final out has been recorded for a full recap. Go Mariners!