Again, work constraints. Get used to these early posts.
SEATTLE MARINERS BALTIMORE ORIOLES
Ichiro RF Bigbie CF Winn LF Mora 3B Beltre 3B Tejada SS Sexson 1B Sosa DH Ibanez DH Palmeiro 1B Boone 2B Gomez 2B Reed CF Surhoff LF Borders C Gibbons RF Valdez SS Gil C ---------- ----------
Moyer (4-1, 6.11) Lopez (2-2, 4.88)
Lopez has been down, up, down, and up again for his career. It looks like he might be headed down again this year, posting a career-worst strikeout rate and K/BB ratio. He doesn't throw hard, is right-handed, and hasn't faced too many Mariner hitters very often in the past, which could mean any number of things, given the unpredictable nature of this offense. As for Moyer, he's just looking to not suck for the first time in more than a month. He's had a little trouble with BJ Surhoff and Rafael Palmeiro in the past, but the probable absences of both Javy Lopez and Brian Roberts should make life a little easier for him.
LET'S GO MARINERS!