Mariners Game #112 Preview: 8/3/24, PHL at SEA

The Mariners try to follow Fun Friday with Super Saturday

The Mariners won the battle of the Slumping Offenses last night, with the M’s bats breaking out in a big way against Tyler Phillips and the Phillies. Tonight the Phillies will throw an interpretation of a bullpen game, with Orion Kerkering acting as an opener for Kolby Allard, who will go as far as he can against his old AL West foes. The Mariners will send Bryce Miller to the mound to face Philadelphia’s terrifying collection of lefty hitters (Schwarber, Harper, Marsh, Stott).

Lineups:

I might lightly criticize this lineup card for making it seem like Justin Turner, not Bryce Miller, is Chum the Sharks’s best friend, but then I look at the Phillies graphic and all sins are absolved by comparison. Why is “starting lineup” blurry around the edges? Is this an artistic statement, or does admin just like to make me worry that I am suffering diabetic retinopathy?

News:

• RHP Jonathan Hernández has reported to the club after being claimed off waivers from Texas yesterday; he’s available tonight. As a corresponding move, LHP Jhonathan Díaz has been optioned back to Triple-A Tacoma.

Today’s game information:

Game time: 6:40 PT

TV: ROOT Sports, with Dave Sims and Mike Blowers

Radio: Seattle Sports 710 AM, with Rick Rizzs and Aaron Goldsmith

This is the midpoint of the opening series of a lengthy homestand, with the three games against the Phillies followed by a series against the Tigers (Tues - Thurs Aug 6-8, all value games) and then the Mets (Fri - Sun Aug 9-11). As a reminder, Sunday August 11 against the Mets has been flexed into Sunday night baseball, starting at 4:10 PM PT and available only on ESPN.

Also: don’t forget this Sunday is Bucket Hat giveaway! Several infielders were modeling them pre-game and they were quite fetching.

Today in Mariners history:

• 1992: Edgar Martinez is named A.L. Player of the Month for July after batting .388 with 3 HR and 12 RBI in 25 games. He took over the league lead in batting average on July 31 and never trailed after.
• 1995: Mike Blowers hits his fourth career grand slam and Andy Benes outpitches Angels’ new acquisition Jim Abbott for a 10-7 Mariner win. I love Jim Abbott and it brings me no pleasure to report this, even from the past.
• 2011: Charlie Furbush made his first start as a Mariner, allowing 2 hits and 1 run in 5.0 innings, carrying a no-hitter into the fifth inning. The Mariners beat the A’s 7-4 to complete a 3-game sweep, their first at Safeco Field since June 2010 vs. the Reds.
• 2022: Luis Castillo makes his Mariners debut at Yankee Stadium, striking out 8 in 6.2 innings of work…his 8 strikeouts were the tied for the 3^rd most in a Mariners debut trailing Enrique Romo and Andy Benes, who both had 9…Andy Benes also made his Mariners debut on Aug. 3 after being acquired at the trade deadline.