After a slog of a game in which Emerson Hancock let five runs across and the offense never quite got going, the Mariners will look to flush their July opener and get in the win column for the month. With Logan Gilbert going tonight, it’s as good a bet as any.
Lineups:
MLB.com
If you were hoping to see newly-minted All-Star Cal Raleigh in the lineup tonight, I am sad to say that’s not in the cards – though look for him to make an appearance later in the game. The Royals are starting lefty Noah Cameron, which means Dan Wilson is turning to his righty-heavy batting order. I certainly wouldn’t blame you for running away screaming upon seeing Donovan Solano, Cleanup Hitter, but Cameron’s shiny 2.79 ERA through his first nine big league starts has masked a more pedestrian 4.17 FIP. He can have a tendency to get a little wild, so if the bats stay patient, they stand a chance at getting to him before having to lock in against a tough Kansas City bullpen.
As for the Royals, they’re running out a similar lineup to last night, although Drew Waters is in left field in place of John Rave while Freddy Fermín will crouch behind the plate. Salvador Perez is still in the lineup, however, batting fourth at DH.
News:
The big story of the day is Cal Raleigh being named the starting catcher for the American League in this year’s All-Star Game. Cal will be the first Mariners starter since Nelson Cruz in 2015. For more details, including quotes from Calboy, check out Kate’s blurb.
There was also a roster move this morning, with Emerson Hancock being optioned to Triple-A Tacoma following his tough outing. Lefty Joe Jacques (pronounced “jakes” if you believe it) was selected from Tacoma in a corresponding move, and will shore up a beleaguered Seattle bullpen until Hancock’s turn in the rotation comes up.
Game Info:
First Pitch: 6:40pm PDT
TV: ROOT Sports NW, with Aaron Goldsmith and Ryan Rowland Smith, featuring Jen Mueller as on-field reporter
Radio: 710 AM Seattle Sports, with Rick Rizzs and Gary Hill Jr.
This Day in Mariners History:
- 2023 – Luis Castillo is named to the AL All-Star team in his first full season with the Mariners.
- 2013 – Raúl Ibañez hit his 20th home run of the season, becoming the oldest player (41 years, 30 days) in MLB history to record 20 home runs prior to the All-Star break. Raúl would finish the season with 29 homers, tying Ted Williams’s record for most in an age-41 season.
- 2012 – The Mariners started three Japanese players (Hisashi Iwakuma-P, Munenori Kawasaki-2B, Ichiro Suzuki-RF), the first time in MLB history three Japan-born players were in a starting lineup.
- 1997 – Jeff Fassero lays down a bunt single against San Diego to log the first ever hit by a Mariners pitcher.
