4/28/18 Open Game Thread

Dearly beloved, we have gathered here today to get through this thing called Mariners baseball. If you hadn’t been able to watch a game this week due to the odd and incomprehensible start times, you just might be able to sit and watch this Saturday game. Take it in. Enjoy it.

Today, the Mariners face off against the Indians in the third game of a four game series (a series now tied 1-1) and Mike Leake will take the hill to face Carlos Carrasco. The Mariners faced Carrasco in the second game of the season and lost in similar fashion to last night’s game. In both games, the Indians came up early in the first inning and the Mariners could not score enough runs to catch up. Both were 6-5 losses and at least one was a fluke.

I’ll also remind you of a previous Mike Leake start. NO, NOT THAT ONE. The last time Leake faced the Indians, he was better than decent. He went seven innings, allowed five hits and only two earned runs; he walked three batters and struck out four. More importantly, he allowed only one home run, not five.

It’s also important to note that though Carrasco has only allowed nine earned runs to score this season (35.0 innings pitched). Five of those runs were scored by the Mariners. If Leake can lock down the Indians offense, the M’s can (hopefully) earn a win today.

After his knee buckled and caused him to exit last night’s game, Dee Gordon returns to the lineup today. Mike Zunino gets the day off and the Ich the M’s can’t scratch will bat eighth.

Game time: 1:10 PST

TV: Root Sports NW

Radio: 710 ESPN Seattle