A win gives the Mariners a winning road trip against two division rivals. It's only April, but every win counts the same at the end.
SEATTLE MARINERS OAKLAND ATHLETICS
Ichiro RF Kotsay CF
Reed CF Byrnes LF
Beltre 3B Kendall C
Sexson 1B Chavez 3B
Boone 2B Kielty RF
Ibanez DH Ginter 2B
Winn LF Durazo DH
Wilson C Swisher 1B
Valdez SS Scutaro SS
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Moyer (4-0, 2.53) Blanton (0-2, 1.75)
For Moyer, the key will be finding that outside corner and making sure that nobody's on base when Eric Chavez comes to the plate - he's hitting .333 for his career against Jamie, with six homers. A lefty-heavy Oakland lineup actually works against Moyer, but they're still in a slump, so look for another effective seven innings. The Mariners have never faced Blanton before, but he's nothing really out of the ordinary; he'll come with a 91-93mph fastball, some breaking balls, and a developing changeup. He's had trouble getting strikeouts so far this year, and his right-handedness plays right into Beltre and Sexson's career reverse platoon splits.
LET'S GO MARINERS!