8/30/18: Open Game Thread

The last time the Mariners were at the Oakland Coliseum, they turned in a performance appropriate for their gross environment. Marco Gonzales threw a dud in the first game, James Paxton used his pitching arm as a shield in the second game, and a Dee Gordon home run (yes, for real) saved them from a sweep in the third game.

Even with games beyond this week against Oakland, Houston, and New York, this feels like the series that will make or break the Mariners. Take three of four and just like that they’re back in the mix with the unfathomably dreadful Orioles coming to town. Lose three of four and, well, let’s just not lose three of four.

Seattle wields its bats tonight against Frankie Montas, the A’s hurler who will make his 13th career MLB start. In April, we all would have salivated at the idea of facing a neophyte like Montas. Now, as evidenced by the team’s total incompetence against Jacob Nix, an unfamiliar pitcher seems like more of a hindrance than a help. Wade LeBlanc has the task of figuring out the A’s lineup, something that the rest of the league has infuriatingly struggled with since the All-Star break.

Lineups

First Pitch: 7:05 p.m. PT

TV: ROOT Sports NW, mlb.TV for out-of-market viewers

Radio: 710 ESPN, MLB At-Bat app