8/28/20: Open Game Thread

Good evening, and welcome to Friday night baseball! The Mariners are going to be taking on the worst team in baseball. And no, I don’t mean that in a hyperbolic way, nor am I commenting on the Angels’ many non-record-related shortcomings. No, the Mariners are taking on the Angels, who have the worst record in baseball.

That the Angels are so terrible is especially funny for several reasons.

• They are, ostensibly, attempting to win the World Series this season.
• After Jerry Dipoto’s and Mike Scoscia’s well-publicized disagreements, Jerry Dipoto left the Angels and Billy Eppler took over. Billy Eppler has been the Angel’s GM since 2015. During the six years he’s been GM, he’s ostensibly attempted to win the World Series every year. They have not made the postseason during this time.
• In fact, since Mike Trout’s MLB debut in 2011, the Angels have made the playoffs once. They lost in the ALDS in 2014. This despite the fact that Trout has been the best player in baseball for most of that time period.

If the Mariners win, it’s great for us to have the opportunity to bask in our schadenfreude. If the Mariners lose, it’s great for the Angels to be terrible but also lose ground in the race for Kumar Rocker.

Sam Haggerty is in the two-hole again tonight. While Haggerty is fine, it seems like the developmental plate appearances would be better spent elsewhere. José Marmolejos will get the start at first base as Evan White continues to nurse a shoulder injury. Finally, the right-handed Braden Bishop gets the start in right field over Jake Fraley, as the Mariners will be taking on southpaw Andrew Heaney.

Game time: 6:40 PM PST

TV: Root Sports NW

Radio: 710 AM ESPN Seattle

Streaming: MLB.tv

Go: M’s