After prying a series split from the baked-beans hot Boston Red Sox at Fenway, the Mariners head down to Houston to face their old foes the Astros for the second time this season. As Jake notes in today’ series preview, this will be a much improved Astros team from what they saw last time Houston rolled up to a warm reception from Mariners fans at T-Mobile, as their lineup is now returned to full strength and the Astros seem hellbent on reclaiming their throne in the AL West. The young Mariners might have something to say about that, though:
The Mariners will have an uphill battle to climb, however; they aren’t favored to win a single one of these games, and they’ll be playing in the unfriendly confines of Minute Maid Park and the Crawford Boxes. Hey, maybe birthday boy Evan White will crank one into the boxes as a present. For us.
Lineup pic.twitter.com/KPOYrp9hZT
— Ryan Divish (@RyanDivish) April 26, 2021
Altuve returns to tonight's lineup!#ForTheH pic.twitter.com/Szirl722q5
— Houston Astros (@astros) April 26, 2021
As for an update on Nick Margevicius there isn’t one as yet, as he’s just gone in for his shoulder MRI and will hit the 10-day IL to start, with RHP Robert Dugger recalled to give the bullpen some emergency length. Per Shannon Drayer, aside from a short time in May (when the club has several off-days), it sounds like the club will stick with the six-man rotation anyway, at least for now. Those of you who voted #LetLjayCook in our poll will be happy to hear he’s getting the start on Saturday against the Angels in Nicky Marge’s place. Ljay vs. Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani makes me a little nervous, but then again anyone vs. Trout and Ohtani makes me nervous.
Tonight’s/this afternoon’s game starts at 5:10 PM PT and you can find it in the usual spots: ROOT Sports NW (TV), 710 ESPN (radio), and MLB TV for those of you who are out of area.