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Tonight our hapless heroes begin a three game series, meeting a Washington Nationals team that is first in war, first in peace, and first in the National League East (Charles Dryden called and he wants his quip back).
Yay.
Christian Bergman takes the mound for the Mariners in a quest to prove his last start wasn't a fluke. Bergman has faced the Nationals once in his career, last year in Colorado. He yielded two runs in an inning of work, but it was a two-run home run to Bryce Harper at Coors Field, so I don't know if that even counts.
After a couple rough games at home, maybe the excitement of visiting Washington D.C. and seeing all the fun monuments and museums will rejuvenate the Mariners.
Robinson Cano is back in the lineup tonight after his activation from the DL. Felix Hernandez, Hisashi Iwakuma, James Paxton, and Drew Smyly all traveled with the team as they continue their respective rehabs (You generally expect to bring your starting rotation on road trips, but typically your starting rotation is, you know, your starting rotation). Paxton and Mitch Haniger are looking at rehab assignments later this week.
Quick Note: Danny Valencia has been scratched and Taylor Motter will take his place.
Game Time: 4:05 PM PDT
TV: ROOTNW
Radio: 710 AM ESPN
Online: MLB.TV