Opponents between today and May 22:
Angels (five games)
Athletics (five games)
Indians (three games)
Rangers (three games)
Red Sox (six games)
Yankees (six games)
Padres (three games)
A 31-game stretch against seven teams who averaged 91 wins last year. If the Mariners emerge from this gauntlet somewhere around .500 or better, it's time to get really excited.
SEATTLE MARINERS "ANAHEIM" ANGELS
Ichiro RF Erstad 1B
Reed CF DaVanon DH
Beltre 3B Guerrero RF
Sexson DH Anderson LF
Boone 2B Finley CF
Ibanez 1B Cabrera SS
Winn LF McPherson 3B
Olivo C Paul C
Valdez SS Figgins 2B
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Sele (1-0, 3.75) Byrd (0-2, 6.92)
Sele returns to the stadium that Anaheim wishes he never called home, facing off against an incrementally more talented version of himself. The Angels field an aggressive lineup that prefers putting the ball in play to getting deep in counts; if Sele is sharp and hitting his spots, he could throw an effective out-filled 6+ innings, but if he's wild, they could tee off on him. As for Byrd, he's a control artist with a bit of a home run problem. A healthy, upright Sexson could make a world of difference. Halofan is going to be at the game - let's hope he has an awful time.
LET'S GO MARINERS!