4/22/18: Open Game Thread

It’s a lazy Sunday morning and I’m feeling a little sweepy. Hopefully the Mariners feel the same way. What better way to avenge the unjustified demotion of Guillermo Heredia than dominating the Texas Rangers in their home stadium?

This feels like the scene in “Hardball” where G Baby gets killed. It robs us of a beloved character, takes away from the fun and happiness that we’ve experienced so far, and could have been prevented with a better plan.

But for now, or at least until the next fugazi roster move is executed, the Mariners are carrying four outfielders, none of whom are named Guillermo. In his stead, Ichiro gets the start in right field today and bats [removes glasses, squints, furrows brow, refreshes Twitter again] sixth? I don’t know, guys. It’s going to be a weird one. If it makes you feel any better, Guillermo is 8-for-18 (.444) against Martín Pérez with two doubles and a 1.029 OPS.

Wait, no, that’s not how feeling better works. Let’s try something else.

Nelson Cruz had his first three-hit game of the season yesterday, including one of those home runs that makes you question whether other hitters are even playing the same sport.

He’s back in the lineup today, facing a pitcher that he’s already taken deep three times in his career. Not to be outdone, Kyle Seager has four career dingers off Pérez, and sports a .364/.404/.659 line against the Rangers’ lefty. Seager’s annexation of Texas is going smoothly.

Dee Gordon gets a day off to workshop even more ways to be delightful. Mitch Haniger moves over to center field for the day, and hits second in the order for the first time this season. Erasmo Ramírez makes his first start of the year, giving the Mariners a five-man pitching rotation for the first time all season.

In a perfect world, one where Mariner fans get to experience emotions other than rage, confusion, and emptiness, Erasmo will throw seven scoreless and Ichiro will go 3-for-4 with a couple extra base hits. The M’s will sweep the Rangers and continue their war path into the upcoming three game set with the Chicago White Sox.

Or they won’t. Servais and Dipoto will duck any and all questions about G Baby, and Ichiro will continue playing like a 44-year-old with a 17 wRC+ and .212 OBP.

Either way, I’m sure the commenters at Lookout Landing will handle any situation in a calm, measured, and reasonable fashion.

Have at it.

Today’s Lineups

Game time: 12:05 PST

TV: Root Sports NW

Radio: 710 ESPN