Mariners Series Standout: Opening Weekend vs the Guardians and who made an impact

The Seattle Mariners started the season off 1-3, but that record could have easily been flipped if just a couple of things changed in their games against the Cleveland Guardians. 

Despite winning just one game in the series, there were still standouts for the team. The highlights of these standouts came in the lone win on Opening Day, but the standout batter had a great series overall. 

Mariners Standout Pitching: Opening Day Staff led by La Piedra

Luis Castillo got the nod to start the season off right for the M’s. Going six innings against the Guardians, he struck out six and gave up just a single hit. The one hit he gave up was an extremely scary one, as it was a comebacker that hit his dreads and came within mere inches of hitting him in the head. 

Once fans realized that he was okay and able to stay in the game, there was a collective sigh of relief. That sigh of relief became cheers after he struck out the side and retired the next nine batters after the incident. 

Castillo was not the only one who threw the ball well in the opener. The first man out of the bullpen was Matt Brash. Brash came in and pitched just one inning, strikeout out two. One of those strikeouts was absolutely devastating, as Brash unleashed a 3,131 spin-rate, 16.2-inch pitch that made MVP candidate Jose Ramirez fall down. 

After Brash, Paul Sewald and Andrés Muñoz pitched an inning a piece, both preventing any runs from crossing the plate. 

Pitching was certainly strongest in game one of 162, making them the standout of the opening series. 

Mariners standout Batter: Ty France 

France was by far the most productive hitter in the first four games of the season. In the first game of the year, he provided all of the offense with one swing, a three-run home run in the bottom of the 8th inning that just got over the right field wall. 

For the series overall, he went 6-16 with the home run and a double. His 1.037 OPS led the team, as well as his .375/.412/.625 slash line. As well as his hot bat, he has Gold Glove-level defense and the 2022 All-Star seems to be starting the new year on the right foot. He looks to keep it up against the Angels and help the Mariners offense find their swag as they start a new series.