Welcome to the official Angels Fraud Watch
This weird, short homestand continues tonight as the Mariners host the Anaheim Angels for an abbreviated two-game series. Expect to see me grumbling about the schedule quite a lot in the month of May, as the M’s have 11 home games to 16 away games, with just 4 days off for the entire month. A two game set against a divisional rival just doesn’t feel right.
Lineups:
It’s a strange lineup today as the Mariners are contending with several injuries on the roster (more on that below). Miles Mastrobuoni will play in right field today, with Leo Rivas making just his eighth start of the year at second base. It will be Bryce Miller’s job to limit the Angels and give the injury-addled M’s enough breathing room to pull this one out.
Meanwhile, the freshly-swept Anaheim Angels are sending out their top-heavy lineup. Despite the contributions of Mike Trout and Zach Neto, the Angels have the 5th lowest wRC+ (83) in the Majors. They also have the second highest strikeout rate (27.1%), second only to the Colorado Rockies. Miller’s single game strikeout record for his career is 10, which he did twice in 2023 and 2024. The best he’s done so far in 2025 is 8, but this will be the most strikeout prone-team he’s faced this year. The Angels are sending Jack Kochanowicz to the mound for his 17th career start. He’s running a 5.69 FIP so far this year, which should be a boon to the homer-loving Mariners.
News:
There’s more tough injury news for the Mariners. The team announced today that Dylan Moore is headed to the IL with hip inflammation; Samad Taylor was recalled from Tacoma in his place. Taylor has primarily been playing center in Tacoma, but like Moore, can play all over the diamond.
Additionally, Luke Raley was scratched from today’s lineup after tweaking something in his side during batting practice. He’s likely to go on the IL, as well, but a move won’t come officially until tomorrow. OF Rhylan Thomas is reportedly on his way to Seattle from the Rainiers, who are in Vegas this week.
On the positive injury news side, George Kirby threw a live BP that was apparently “fantastic,” per Wilson. “The live BP went really well. Ball was coming out of his hand good, he felt good. It’s been great to have him here, and good for him too, to be out of Arizona, and I think that really showed yesterday.” The next step will be a rehab assignment for Kirby, and the team is putting that schedule together now.
Captain’s Log:
Dan Wilson on Andrés Muñoz giving up one of his precious off-days to spend time at Seattle Area Feline Rescue:
“Baseball affords people platforms, and when a player is willing to take time out of his schedule to use that platform impact people in a positive direction, I think it’s incredible. It speaks to the character that [Muñoz] has, that a lot of our guys have.”
Today’s Game Information:
Game Time: 6:40 PT
TV: ROOT Sports NW, or the ROOT Sports app, with Aaron Goldsmith and Ryan Rowland-Smith on the call
Radio: 710 Seattle Sports, with Rick Rizzs and Gary Hill Jr.
Today in Mariners History:
· 1979 – The Mariners edged the New York Yankees, 6-5, to complete a three-game sweep of the Bronx Bombers in the Kingdome. Willie Horton leads the Mariners attack with three hits and three RBI.
· 1985 – Recently acquired catcher Donnie Scott led off the 9th inning with a home run batting left-handed to tie the Milwaukee Brewers at 7-7, and, batting right-handed in the 10th, led the Mariners to a 9-7 win with his second consecutive home run.
· 1986 – Roger Clemens set a major league record by striking out 20 batters and the Boston Red Sox defeated the Seattle Mariners 3-1…Phil Bradley struck out four times, including the record-breaking 20th by Clemens in the 9th inning.
· 1999 – Seattle sets the club record with 22 runs, including a club-record 11 runs in 5th inning vs. Detroit. Ken Griffey Jr. ties a career-high with six RBI, including his 11th career grand slam, and ties a club record with nine RBI in back-to-back games.
· 2015 – Logan Morrison went 4-for-5, driving in a pair of runs with a double to break a tie in the 5th inning as the Mariners won 5-2 at Texas…Seattle completed its first sweep at Texas since 2002… Félix Hernández earned the win, recording his first victory at Texas since 7/14/12, also moving past Jamie Moyer for most inning pitched in club history…Nelson Cruz hit his 10th home run of April, a tape-measure shot into the 2nd deck in left field.
· 2016 – Félix Hernández tied Jamie Moyer as the all-time Mariners wins leader, notching his 145th career win in a 1-0 win over the Royals.
· 2016 – The Mariners recorded their 4th win in franchise history when being one-hit. A home run from Seth Smith in the sixth inning provided the team’s sole hit and run. It was Smith’s 100th career home run.
· 2021 – Mariners win 1-0 on a Taylor Trammell home run in the 3rd inning against Houston. 17th time in franchise history they have won 1-0 courtesy of a home run, and first since 4/29/16.