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7/4: Open Game Thread

Roenis Elias and the Mariners open up a series in Chicago against Chris Sale and the White Sox on America Day.

By Anders Jorstad
Otto Greule Jr

Well if yesterday wasn't the most agonizing off-day ever I don't know what was. The Mariners are extremely fun to watch right now and the excitement in the Seattle area (I can't speak for anywhere else) is pretty real. Love it while it lasts, everyone. This might be the season people reminisce about years down the line.

However, this game today might not be so easily won. Chris Sale is putting together a season worthy of Cy Young Award consideration with a 2.30/2.72/2.95* line in 12 starts so far this year. Furthermore, lefties tend to struggle quite a bit against Sale. Over the course of his career, Sale has allowed a .230 wOBA to left-handers (about the equivalent of 2011-2012 Chone Figgins). To say the M's face an uphill challenge with the bats is an understatement.

Fortunately, the M's pitching this year has been good enough to keep them in pretty much any game. Today they send lefty Roenis Elias to the hill. Depending on which Elias shows up today, we could see quite the pitcher's duel today.

Here's some news while you're getting ready for the game:

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>James Paxton threw 52-pitch bullpen session, said he felt great and will throw two-inning sim game Monday in Seattle.</p>— Greg Johns (@GregJohnsMLB) <a href="https://twitter.com/GregJohnsMLB/statuses/485161730730106882">July 4, 2014</a></blockquote>

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Heard yesterday that <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Mariners?src=hash">#Mariners</a> are targeting RH bats at the deadline. Viciedo, who they've liked since 2012, fits. <a href="http://t.co/iiOo9ALQOd">http://t.co/iiOo9ALQOd</a></p>— Chris Cotillo (@ChrisCotillo) <a href="https://twitter.com/ChrisCotillo/statuses/485134621500538880">July 4, 2014</a></blockquote>

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Game Info

  • Seattle Mariners @ Chicago White Sox, 4:10pm PT
  • The game will be televised on ROOT Sports and broadcast on 710 ESPN
  • Corey Hart is back from his rehab stint and in the lineup today, batting fourth

<!-- BEGIN WIDGET -->

<div class="pane sports_data_widget lineup clearfix">
<h3>Today's Lineups</h3>
<div class="lineup">
<table cellspacing="0" class="zebra">
<thead>
<tr>
<th align="left">SEATTLE MARINERS</th>
<th align="left">CHICAGO WHITE SOX</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr><td class="td-last td-name">W. Bloomquist - SS</td><td class="td-first td-name">Adam Eaton - CF</td></tr><tr><td class="td-last td-name">James Jones - CF</td><td class="td-first td-name">Gordon Beckham - 2B</td></tr><tr><td class="td-last td-name">Robinson Cano - 2B</td><td class="td-first td-name">Jose Abreu - 1B</td></tr><tr><td class="td-last td-name">Corey Hart - DH</td><td class="td-first td-name">Dayan Viciedo - LF</td></tr><tr><td class="td-last td-name">Kyle Seager - 3B</td><td class="td-first td-name">Alexei Ramirez - SS</td></tr><tr><td class="td-last td-name">Mike Zunino - C</td><td class="td-first td-name">Paul Konerko - DH</td></tr><tr><td class="td-last td-name">Logan Morrison - 1B</td><td class="td-first td-name">Conor Gillaspie - 3B</td></tr><tr><td class="td-last td-name">M. Saunders - RF</td><td class="td-first td-name">Moises Sierra - RF</td></tr><tr><td class="td-last td-name">Dustin Ackley - LF</td><td class="td-first td-name">Tyler Flowers - C</td></tr><tr><td class="td-last td-name"></td><td class="td-first td-name"></td></tr><tr><td class="td-last td-name">Roenis Elias - LHP</td><td class="td-first td-name">Chris Sale - LHP</td></tr></tbody>
</table>
</div>
</div>
<!-- END WIDGET -->

*For those who don't know, these numbers represent the pitcher's ERA/FIP/xFIP stats

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