5/12/2021: Mariners vs. Dodgers Open Game Thread

As the entire Mariners universe patiently waits for Jarred Kelenic and Logan Gilbert to make their debuts on Thursday night, the team has the unfortunate task of playing the Los Angeles Dodgers. While the Dodgers have underwhelmed this year, and head into tonight’s fixture just one game ahead of the Mariners in the win column, we all understand what’s happening here. A win for the M’s would not only bring some good tidings to the flight they’ll jump on directly after the game (which should get them to Seattle about 15 hours before they play on Thursday) but would also mean they split the season series with the mighty Angelenos.

It’ll be Julio Urías for the Dodgers. He went seven innings with 11 strikeouts last time he saw the Mariners, who rubbed some sticks together and got all of one hit against the Mexican postseason hero. Even better, Urías is a left-hander who thrives in the first-pitch strike department. That is also a description that would fit John Means, the guy who came to Seattle and dumped all of the Mariners’ bats into the sound. Let’s gooooooooooo!!!

Evan White makes his fifth straight start in the eight spot, hitting right in front of Justin Dunn, who is 0-for-1 in his big league career with a strikeout. If you’re into catcher ERA, Dunn has a 3.09 in 11.2 innings throwing to Tom Murphy, which is pretty insignificant, but still better than the 3.38 he’s posted in 16 innings with Luis Torrens behind the plate. For whatever reason, Dunn’s walk issues seem to spring up with Murph. The Mariners’ hurler has a bizarre 10/13 K/BB ratio in his outings with Murphy and 13/7 with Torrens. That might be worth keeping an eye on as the season, and Dunn’s career, progresses.

Lineups

First Pitch: 7:10 p.m. PDT

TV: ROOT Sports Northwest, MLB.tv for out-of-market viewers

Radio: 710 ESPN, MLB app