Mariners deviate from usual lineup vs. a lefty starter on opening day

ARLINGTON, Texas – It all begins today.

The 2016 edition of the Mariners will take the field behind Felix Hernandez, who’s making his ninth career opening-day start. The preparation is over. It all counts for the Mariners starting at 1:05.

Follow along with Mariners Opening Day in Texas

Lineup!

Nori Aoki, LF

Ketel Marte, SS

Robinson Cano, 2B

Nelson Cruz, RF

Kyle Seager, 3B

Franklin Gutierrez, DH

Adam Lind, 1B

Chris Iannetta, C

Leonys Martin, CF

Felix Hernandez, P

This is not the lineup we will see against most lefties. Servais has hinted for weeks that he would start Lind on opening day despite his struggles against the southpaws. He may be starting in part because it is opening day or because he does have some success against Cole Hamels in a very limited sample (3 for 8 with a home run). It may be to give Dae-Ho Lee, who should face most lefties, a little break in that his first game will be against Martin Perez and not an ace.

It is in part due to the fact that the Mariners were scheduled to face four lefties in their first six days of the season – that was before Oakland starter Felix Dubront went down to an injury. The situation at first base has never been laid out as a strict platoon, and I doubt we will see Lind ever sit out four of six days this season, so there is an element of sense to the move.

As for Cruz in right and Gutierrez at DH, Servais pointed out last week that they would need to protect Guti’s legs a bit, so we’ll see him put at DH here and there when multiple lefties are scheduled against Seattle. He’s also said that Cruz has earned the right to play some right field. There is no question he enjoys it and he hit better last year when in the field. He has a history in Texas, so why not? I would anticipate seeing him DH much more than play the field as the season progresses, though.

Marte makes his first opening day roster and start. The Mariners have five players – Lee, Tony Zych, Mike Montgomery, Luis Sardinas and Marte – who are on an opening-day roster for the first time.

There is also a manager making his first start in that role.

“I’m in a better spot. I’m probably in a better spot than I was yesterday,” Servais said. “Just the meetings, advance meetings, kind of get that off my plate and make sure our players are prepared. I’m a baseball player, you know – very routine, have to have a process to everything. I don’t have my routine process on this stuff yet. I feel much better getting up today. Let’s go play baseball.”

It will be a day of firsts for Servais. First time he takes a lineup card out; first time he calls plays; first time he perhaps puts the replay system into practice; most likely the first first time he selects a reliever and makes a call to the bullpen; and first time he takes the ball from a starting pitcher.

If all goes well, it will be the first time he shakes hands on the field with his team after a win.

There, of course, were many firsts in spring training as well, but Servais and staff were well prepared. The hiccups and missteps were few, if any, according to Kyle Seager.

“It came together real easily actually,” he said. “Servais doesn’t come across as someone who hasn’t managed before. He seems like he knows exactly what he is doing. The plan has been a lot more evident than it has been. It doesn’t seem like this is his first go-around. The transition has been very easy.”

While the advance meetings were held before Sunday’s workout, Servais did not plan on addressing the team as a group before the opener against Texas. There have been enough meetings in his opinion and his plan was to make a pass through the clubhouse and talk to his players individually. A nice touch on what is a special day for everyone in baseball.