Spring Training 2018: Game 19, Mariners @ Athletics.

A’s fans have had a rollercoaster of a week. We’ve welcomed new face Jonathan Lucroy, who will hopefully provide us with some stability at catcher this year. We’ve also endured a real scare with Jharel Cotton being sent back to the Bay Area for an MRI on his elbow. An already shaky rotation just got a lot shakier, as Jharel had been a legitimate contender to anchor the rotation. That creaks open the door ever slightly more for tonight’s starting pitcher, A.J. Puk.

As unlikely as it is that Puk starts the season in the majors, it’s undeniable that the 22 year old has shown that he’s very close to making an impact in Oakland. Through three games, two starts, he’s put up goose eggs with six K’s in eight innings. The lefty has shown velocity, poise, excellent deception with his motion, and an improved five-pitch mix. With his flowing red locks and scraggly red beard, Puk already looks like a guy who will inspire a devoted fan following.

A.J. will face off against Ariel Miranda and the Seattle Mariners, in a continuation of the ‘rivalry’ with the team from the Pacific Northwest. Fun fact about the Mariners: After the Buffalo Bills snuck into the NFL playoffs last year, the longest playoff drought in all of professional sports now belongs to Seattle. Despite that, if you have spent any amount of time in the PNW, you’ll know that Mariners fans are always confident about their team until sometime in August. That’s when the despair kicks in.

The Mariners have run into some injury problems. And by some, I mean, hoo boy. A lot of injuries. Longtime setup lefty Tony Zych experienced shoulder discomfort after falling apart late last year, and has been released. Just last night both Jean Segura (right hamstring) and Ichiro Suzuki (right calf muscle) left with tightness. Nelson Cruz has a grade 1 quad strain. Robinson Cano strained his quad. Ben Gamel pulled an oblique and is out indefinitely. Ryon Healy needed hand surgery! Felix took a line drive to his arm! It’s like the Walking Dead out here!

For a Seattle team that is squarely amidst a Win-Now! push, an old and questionable team is increasingly looking old and questionable. If this early onslaught of injuries is any indication, the Mariners may be finishing closer to the cellar than a playoff slot.

Expect Jerry DiPoto to make some more trades.

Here is tonight’s lineup!