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I believe in yanking the band-aid off all at once so let’s just look at this lineup and get it over with:
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No Jarred Kelenic is understandable as his struggles continue and the team’s path forward with him continues to be a subject of much debate, but alas, that does mean Donovan Walton, Outfielder has returned, as Jake Fraley also receives a day off—which, okay? But also why, because not only does that mean DW in the outfield but that in turn puts Jack Mayfield at second, and also Jacob Nottingham is DH? I just feel like Logan Gilbert deserves better. Also if Cal Raleigh was up he could be batting right-handed and catching his good buddy Gilly. Just putting that out in the universe. I know it’s a long road trip and we have to save people’s bodies etc. but also this has been about as deflating a start to a road trip as there’s been all season between the bullpen blowing a winnable game and Kikuchi’s injury dampening FraleyFest last night.
Speaking of Kikuchi, though, the news seems encouraging on that front!
Encouraging news on Kikuchi. Scott Servais said this morning he is doing better than expected and that the swelling in his knee is minimal.
— Shannon Drayer (@shannondrayer) June 6, 2021
Minimal swelling is good! That definitely seems to point to more of an acute trauma beginning to heal rather than structural damage. Here’s hoping, at least. I took last night off so didn’t see things happening live but the pictures in the photo editor were very painful to flip through today.
The Angels are dealing with a pitcher injury of their own as Patrick Sandoval gets the start today in place of the injured José Quintana. Normally I would say I feel good about the Mariners’ chances in this game after reading Jake’s writeup on Sandoval in the series preview and remembering the Angels bullpen isn’t very good and might lack Raisel Iglesias after he pitched two innings on Friday, but unless Seager snaps out of this funk he’s been in and the top of the lineup can start delivering some runs, it’s hard to feel particularly optimistic.
Should you feel inclined to submit yourself to this particular lineup, you can find the game in all the old familiar places: 710 ESPN on the radio, ROOT Sports NW on TV, and Mariners dot com or the Gameday app if you want to just follow along from a safe distance. Remember that the game starts at 1:07 PT, not 1:00 or 1:10, because the Angels insist on being annoying at every turn.