3/25/19: Open Game Thread

The Mariners will officially break-in T-Mobile Park today with their first game inside their newly resurfaced and renamed ballpark, even if it isn’t “official”. The Mariners come in riding a two-game winning streak...er...is it a two-game losing streak as the Mariners—although not these Mariners—dropped their final two Cactus League games.

This will be the first game-action we see out of Mallex Smith, claims the leadoff spot in his Mariners debut, relegating Dee Gordon back to the nine-hole. Otherwise, today’s lineup is a carbon copy of the team’s opening night lineup last Wednesday in Tokyo. Smith is expected to play just five innings tonight as he works his way back from an injury to his throwing arm.

We get a further look at the organizational blackballing of Dan Vogelbach, who rides the pine once again, although his is reportedly set to appear at some point during tonight’s action.

Mike Leake draws the start in a redo of his failed audition for the Padres after surrendering five runs on eight hits and a walk to our hated rivals 20 days ago. He’ll be countered by Cactus League sensation Chris Paddack, who struck out 20 over 12.2 innings this spring en route to earning a spot in the Padres rotation. With his start tonight, San Diego all but confirms the 23-year-old rookie won’t draw the Opening Day start he’d been rumored to be in the running for, however he lines up to start the Friars’ third game of the regular season this Saturday at home against the San Francisco Giants.

First Pitch: 7:10pm PT

TV Broadcast: ROOT Sports, MLB.tv

Radio Broadcast: 710 ESPN, MLB.tv