4/5/21: Mariners vs. White Sox Open Game Thread
You like sliders? We’ll give you sliders!
One day after getting Ohtani’d and walked off on national television, the Chicago White Sox are in Seattle for the first time since September 15, 2019. The last time Tony La Russa – who yes, is actually their manager – was in Seattle’s visitor dugout, things looked a lot different around here.
Last time Tony La Russa managed a game in Seattle:
— Alex Mayer (@alexmayer34) April 5, 2021
• Joel Piñeiro threw a CG shutout for @Mariners
• John Olerud & Mark McLemore homered off Darryl Kile
• 2-hour, 20-minute gamehttps://t.co/YDEvSr6eCv
No disrespect to the elderly San Francisco Giants, but this series with the White Sox is the Mariners’ first real test of the year. Many people, including the charming and handsome blogger who made this thread, picked them to win the American League. One reason for that was their potent lineup, which took a hit when Eloy Jiménez got hurt, but received an instant boost when Yermin Mercedes decided to be the greatest hitter who ever lived. Mercedes will DH and bat fifth tonight for his first game in the Pacific Northwest.
The home team is without a young star in the outfield too, as news broke today that Kyle Lewis will be out until the end of the month.
Kyle Lewis is going to start hitting the cage today. Servais reiterated they'll take it slow in bringing him back. Expects it will be 2-3 weeks before Lewis is out on the field in a game.
— Jen Mueller (@JenTalksSports) April 5, 2021
Unfortunately for fans who wanted to see his blinding smile and sweet swing, Taylor Trammell is not starting tonight either. With the White Sox throwing a left-handed pitcher, one has to imagine that the Mariners want to get Sam Haggerty’s bat in there, and this is not just a day off for rest. The Mariners were already off yesterday and Trammell is 23 years old. I’m sure he could play a baseball game today. Let’s see if Trammell’s card is pulled for pinch hit or defensive replacement duties. I worry that Haggerty may get swallowed up by center field.
Two lefty slider machines will share the mound tonight in a fun pitching matchup between Carlos Rodón and Justus Sheffield. In Rodón’s only previous start at T-Mobile Park, he did seven innings and eight strikeouts. Sheffield also rang up eight strikeouts in his only previous start against the ChiSox, but those came in just 4.1 innings, as he also gave up six runs and was understandably removed from the game. Tonight’s game is on ESPN, too, so get ready for your out-of-town friends to text you about how disturbing Jake Fraley’s beard is.
First Pitch: 7:10 p.m. PDT
TV: ROOT Sports Northwest / ESPN
Radio: 710 ESPN / MLB At-Bat app