6/19/21: Open Game Thread

Against all odds, the Mariners have secured at least a series split with the best team in the American League. Tonight they have a shot at clinching the win, and they’ll be doing so in these truly gorgeous Seattle Steelheads uniforms, in homage to the Negro Leagues.

These uniforms look just as crisp as they did when they were first worn back in 2015, and I’m hoping that they can somehow work their way into the rotation in seasons to come.

Tonight’s pitching matchup is also a fun one, with Logan Gilbert - coming off the finest start of his young big league career - facing off against lefty Shane McClanahan, who is also in his first Major League season. McClanahan can bring some heat with an average fastball velo of 97.2 MPH, but he’s thrown his slider more often than any of his other pitches so far, and can get plenty of whiffs from it. He’s been bit some by the homer bug, and with a beautiful Seattle evening, I’m hoping it’ll eat at him a little more tonight. It’s a mild surprise that Luis Torrens is sitting tonight given the platoon matchup and his hot hitting since returning from Tacoma, but the equally-hot Jake Bauers is starting at DH in his stead, and we also have the return of Jake Fraley in the starting lineup! Competent hitters up and down is a real treat.

Game Time: 7:10pm PDT

TV: ROOT Sports NW, MLB.tv

Radio: 710 ESPN Seattle, MLB At Bat