clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

7/7: Open game thread

Hisashi Iwakuma vs. Kevin Correia

this guy still looks like a potato
this guy still looks like a potato
Reese Strickland-USA TODAY Sports

With the Twins in town for a four-game set, Lloyd McClendon has moved a hot Michael Saunders to the top of his lineup. The Condor leading off makes for a welcome change from Endy Chavez and Willie Bloomquist; hopefully he does well enough to convince Lloyd to give him the full-time job. This is as close to the platonic ideal of a 2014 Mariners lineup as I think I've seen all year.

Hisashi Iwakuma has had a rough go of it lately - even in his most recent start against the Astros, he wasn't destroying worlds. Luckily, the Twins have a mediocre team offense, in part thanks to the struggles of one Kendrys Morales. Also luckily, the Mariners are up against Kevin Correia, the pitcher with the lowest K/9 in baseball.

Josh Willingham might be one to keep an eye on, as he is widely regarded as trade bait and the Mariners could have an interest in his (sigh) right-handed power. Consensus is that the Twins will start to sell shortly after the All-Star game at Target Field. Because they're bad.

Go M's!

Today's Lineups

MINNESOTA TWINS SEATTLE MARINERS
Brian Dozier - 2B M. Saunders - RF
Eduardo Escobar - SS James Jones - CF
Trevor Plouffe - 3B Robinson Cano - 2B
Kendrys Morales - 1B Corey Hart - DH
Josh Willingham - LF Kyle Seager - 3B
Oswaldo Arcia - RF Logan Morrison - 1B
Chris Colabello - DH Mike Zunino - C
Sam Fuld - CF Dustin Ackley - LF
Eric Fryer - C Brad Miller - SS
Kevin Correia - RHP Hisashi Iwakuma - RHP