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One day off feels like an eternity when you're 3-6. The M's are back in action tonight, and from all indications it appears like they're going to be a great turnout. It's especially notable that the crowd is lively tonight, given that it's J.A. Happ on the mound facing Yovani Gallardo -- not exactly a primetime matchup. Texas comes into the game at 4-6.
Emotionally, tonight feels weighty for the M's, who could certainly use a bit of a confidence boost after watching the Dodgers dance all over home plate twice this week.
As mentioned, they'll face Yovani Gallardo, who's been a caricature of himself so far in 2015 -- tons of strikeouts (11.2 K/9) and a high HR/FB ratio. Always prone to giving up the deep ball, the missed bats is a bit of a renaissance for Gallardo, who has steadily seen his K rate decrease until he finally left Milwaukee this past season. Gallardo has gotten shelled so far, but his peripherals seem solid.
It's a match of the opening day lineup for the Mariners, except Seth Smith is at DH and Nelson Cruz is in right. Cruz has been playing the field more than expected, but it's not as if Smith is much of an upgrade there, if at all. Every time a right-hander is on the mound against the M's, right field is going to be a problem defensively, at least the way things are currently constructed.
Lineup! Info! GOMS!
Game info
- Mariners vs. Rangers, 7:10 p.m. PST
- TV: ROOT, MLB.tv
- Radio: 710 ESPN