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Although the Mariners are just 3-8 in games started by Taijuan Walker this season, the young righty has begun to show signs of figuring things out. In his last two starts (against CLE and NYY), Walker has thrown a total of 16 innings and surrendered just three earned runs. During this period, he's also put up a super shiny K:BB of 15:1. Hopefully he's able to continue this string of good outings tonight in Cleveland.
After exiting yesterday's game with back spasms, Nelson Cruz is being held out of the lineup tonight. He's currently listed as day-to-day. As a result, Mark Trumbo will be making his first start in right field with the Mariners. Over the last three years, among the 134 OFs with 900+ innings in the field, Trumbo ranks as the 107th most "valuable", which places him in the 21st percentile. He does appear to have a pretty solid arm, but his range/route running are fairly suspect, so things could get a little interesting out there. Of course, with Cruz regularly starting games in right, suspect defense won't exactly be something new.
Trevor Bauer gets the start for Cleveland tonight. He's been pretty effective so far this year, averaging a strike out per frame and regularly pitching into the seventh inning. However, he can be fairly wild (3.71 BB/9); if the M's are patient, they may be able to do some damage against him.
Here's hopin' these Mariner hitters can finally break out of their offensive slump and come away with a win. Go M's!
Game info
- Seattle @ Cleveland, 4:10 PM PST
- TV: ROOT
- Radio: 710 ESPN
- Online: MLB.tv