4/18: Open Game Thread

We all knew the Mariners couldn’t continue the .800 clip at which they were playing, but that doesn’t make back-to-back sweeps on the homestand any less painful. The Mariners will look to get right in this series against Angels, although per Jake’s series preview, the Angels are favored in every game.

While it was encouraging to see Erik Swanson make a strong start yesterday, backed up by a solid performance out of the bullpen, the offense has to get the bats going, especially since theoretically two of the strongest bullpen choices in Brandon Brennan and Anthony Swarzak likely won’t be available, having both pitched yesterday. The Mariners got to Chris Stratton the last time they faced the Angels, but that was at home and with a lineup that was humming along with much more juice than the anemic bats we saw yesterday. The offense will get a boost with the return of Mitch Haniger, who missed yesterday’s game with a sinus infection, also known as “the only thing I have ever, or will ever, have in common with Mitch Haniger.”

Looking at those two offenses, if ours can’t put up more runs than the star-studded combination of Brian Goodwin, Kevan Smith, Tommy La Stella, and Peter Bourjos, I don’t know what to say. Even for a club in a rebuilding year, that would be bad, and they should feel bad.

Game info:

Game time: 7:07 PM, because Anaheim is annoying like that

Listen on: 710 ESPN, MLB Gameday

Watch on: FSW, RTNW, MLB.tv