For the second straight year, the Mariners dropped their season opener, as they were shutout by the Astros, 3-0. Felix Hernandez started for the team and pitched in five innings, allowing two earned runs on five hits and no walks, while striking out six. He left earlier than expected due to a tightness in his groin, but indicated that he should be ready on his scheduled start Saturday versus the Los Angeles Angels.
The four sluggers of Seattle – Robinson Cano, Nelson Cruz, Kyle Seager, and prized off-season acquisition Jean Segura – didn’t have a good start to the season, and only combined to go 3-for-13 (.230 BA). However, do expect them to build some momentum as the season goes along. They are all inside the MLB’s top 40 in total hits last 2016, with Cano, Cruz, and Seager also having 30 or more homers and 99 or more RBIs each.
Hisashi Iwakuma (16-12, 4.12 ERA in 2016) is getting the nod for tomorrow’s contest. The veteran started in four games against the Astros last season, compiling a 1-2 record and an 3.52 ERA after giving up a total of nine earned runs on 20 hits (one homer) and seven walks over 23 innings. He retired 28 batters.
The Mariners are have won three straight games on the road with Iwakuma as the starter.
Dallas Keuchel got off to a good start in his road to redemption. He got the nod in yesterday’s season opener and only allowed two hits and two walks in the seven innings he pitched, while striking out four. The lefty, as you may remember, was a disappointing 9-12 with a 4.55 ERA last season after winning the American League’s Cy Young award in 2015.
Attempting to follow up Keuchel’s victory is third-year man Lance McCullers, who’s been pretty good in his first two seasons. He is be boasting a 3-2 record and a 2.28 ERA against the visiting Mariners, which features him throwing for 27.2 innings and striking out 35 batters.
Though rather quiet for the game, the core of Jose Altuve, Alex Bregman, Carlos Correa, and George Springer, still had one hit each, with the latter two also combining for three RBIs. Like Seattle’s hitters, we can expect them to score and be more productive moving forward.
