7/4/21: Open Game Thread

Hello and welcome to the July 4 edition of the LL Open Game Thread! Our host, noted America aficionado Dan Vogelbach, would like to say a few words.

Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Thanks for the love, Dan! Now, without further ado, let’s get ready for today’s game.

Hype for the Mariners thus-far into the season seemed to reach a fever pitch after Friday’s walk-off win at T-Mobile Park’s re-opening festivities, but took a nosedive as the 7-2 loss of last night unfolded. The team looks to salvage the series this afternoon and rewrite its notorious “lackluster homestand following sensational roadtrip” narrative. “Five games over five-hundred” sounds a lot better than “series loss to the Rangers,” does it not?

This is the lineup Seattle will use in attempting to accomplish the aforementioned task, as well as the one with which Texas plans to thwart them:

Chris Flexen has been outstanding at home this year, and if the lineup founders against Folty the way they did against Jordan Lyles, he’ll need to keep it up.

Thankfully for us, Mariner-killer and former Mariner John Hicks is not in the lineup. Not so thankfully, Joey Gallo is back in it.

Kyle Seager seemed intent on re-upping his claim on the three-hole last night, so we can hope to see more of that pop from him today. I also feel certain that there are particular players on this roster that might see more success on their nation’s independence day: Jake Fraley and Anthony Misiewicz come to mind. Just a hunch.

That’s all for now, class dismissed, go get ready for the afternoon and evening ahead. Drink responsibly, drive sober, don’t lose your fingers or set fires, and, of course, go M’s!

Game time: 1:10 Pacific

TV: ROOT Sports NW

Radio: 710 ESPN Seattle