Mariners manager Scott Servais returns to the dugout after a pitching change against the Twins during a game April 7, 2018, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)

Mariners manager Scott Servais returns to the dugout after a pitching change against the Twins during a game April 7, 2018, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)

Mariners open play in difficult American League West

The Astros and Angels are surging while the A’s have young talent and look to be much improved.

SEATTLE — Out of the first 10 games and into the fire.

The Seattle Mariners on Friday began their foray into the American League West Division starting with a three-game series against the Oakland Athletics, followed by four games against the reigning World Series-champion Houston Astros.

Then the Mariners head to a three-game series with the Texas Rangers, followed by a week against AL Central teams before hosting the Los Angeles Angels.

So this is a reminder that though the Mariners were 6-4 heading into Friday’s game and off to their best 10-game start since 2013, this division is going to be no joke.

“Our division is very competitive,” Mariners manager Scott Servais said, not wanting to take the bait on where it ranks among the most competitive divisions in baseball. “I haven’t really changed my thoughts any different right now than it was when I came into spring training. I knew it was going to be a good division this year.”

But since spring training there’s been a Shohei Ohtani craze around LA and as far as all the national attention has been concerned. And for good reason: The Babe Ruth of Japan went from looking like a player bound for the minor leagues because of his spring struggles to looking like a frontrunner for the AL MVP.

Ohtani is 2-0 with 18 strikeouts in 13 innings pitched (2.08 ERA) as a pitcher and in seven games at the plate heading into Friday he had hit three home runs, was batting .346 (9-for-26) and had the speed to cruise into a triple on Thursday.

The Angels are No. 1 as a team in baseball in runs scored, home runs and RBI after 14 games.

Oh, and the Astros are almost unanimously considered the best team in baseball — at least according to recent power rankings from Bleacher Report, ESPN, Sports Illustrated, USA Today and Yahoo.

But the Mariners aren’t considering this series with the Athletics to be any sort of warm-up, though they’ve won the season series against Oakland each of the past five season.

Servais pointed to the A’s young talent, specifically referencing third baseman Matt Chapman and first baseman Matt Olson — to go with their young pitching. They went 36-37 in the second half of 2017.

“Oakland is much better,” Servais said. “They have some young players that really did some things offensively. Certainly in the second half of last season. They’re a different team than what we’ve seen in the past. We saw that a little bit in spring training.

“So right now we’re just going to focus on Oakland and we’ll worry about Houston here a little bit later.”

Cruz almost ready

Nelson Cruz called Servais’ at home on Friday before Servais had a chance to submit his lineup for the day.

Cruz went to the 10-day disabled list after spraining his ankle after slipping on the dugout step. He had just hit a two-run home run.

“Very sternly he said he was ready to go,” Servais said. “I said, ‘Let’s see you get out here today and let you run around a little bit.’ … I wanted to see him run the bases a little.”

Cruz did so fairly gingerly, but Servais said they expect to insert him back into their lineup at designated hitter on Saturday in their second of the three-game series against the Athletics. Cruz hit two home runs in his two games played.

“He’s not at 100 percent yet, but we need him in the lineup,” Servais said. “So as soon as we can we’ll get him in there.”

And to account for that slick dugout step, Servais said the Mariners added a long-time coming tacky surface to the top of it. So no more slipping and turning ankles, he hopes.

“Hopefully that doesn’t happen again,” he said.

The Mariners have backed off some on outfielder Ben Gamel (strained oblique). They gave him a day off in his rehab assignment on Wednesday before he was Triple-A Tacoma’s DH in Fresno on Thursday. The optimistic outlook was to have him available Friday (for Ben Gamel cap night at Safeco Field, no less).

“We’re optimistic he might be back with us during the weekend series here,” Servais said. “Gamel physically is ready to go. We just want to give him at-bats. He did not have a spring training.”

And first baseman Ryon Healy (ankle) is progressing faster than the original 2-3 week timeline on him, Servais said. Healy was placed on the DL on April 8.

Catcher Mike Zunino (oblique) took batting practice at Safeco on Friday and Servais said they’d like to get him a couple of rehab starts in the minor leagues before bringing him back to Seattle — optimistically before the end of this seven-game homestand.

On tap

Left-hander Marco Gonzales (1-1, 7.27 ERA) hopes to bounce back from his rough start in Kansas City and will make his first Safeco start of the season. The Gonzaga University graduate will be opposed by Athletics RHP Kendall Graveman (0-2, 9.45 ERA) in the 6:10 p.m. game Saturday.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Arlington’s Leyton Martin (2) poses for a photo at Arlington High School on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Arlington, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 Boys Basketball Player of the Year: Leyton Martin

Arlington’s do-it-all junior point guard led the Eagles to a district title and second straight Hardwood Classic.

X
Prep roundup for Thursday, March 28

Prep roundup for Thursday, March 28: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Left to right, Mountlake Terrace’s Zaveon Jones, Glacier Peak’s Jo Lee, Everett’s Isaiah White, Arlington’s Leyton Martin, Jackson’s Ryan McFerran, and Mountlake Terrace’s Jaxon Dubiel pose for a photo at Arlington High School on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Arlington, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 All-Area boys basketball teams

A look at the top prep boys basketball players in the area from the 2023-24 season.

Silvertips’ Andrew Petruk (26) fights for the puck during a game between the Everett Silvertips and the Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Breaking down the Silvertips’ 1st-round playoff series vs. the Giants

Everett is searching for a revenge after a shocking playoff exit against Vancouver two years ago.

Left to right, Arlington’s Samara Morrow, Kamiak’s Bella Hasan, Everett’s Alana Washington, Lake Steven’s Nisa Ellis, Lynnwood’s Aniya Hooker, and Meadowdale’s Gia Powell, pose for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 All-Area girls basketball teams

A look at the top prep girls basketball players in the area from the 2023-24 season.

Everett’s Alana Washington poses for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 Girls Basketball Player of the Year: Alana Washington

The Everett senior upped her game in the postseason to help the Seagulls overcome injuries and claim their first state trophy in 41 years.

Silvertips players celebrate during a game between the Everett Silvertips and Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, Jan. 21, 2024. The Silvertips won, 5-3. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Silvertips land No. 1 pick, chance to draft generational talent

Landon DuPont is the consensus top pick in next WHL prospects draft. Everett chief operating officer Zoran Rajcic said the team intends to select him.

Dennis Williams, head coach and GM of the Everett Silvertips, shakes hands with an assistant coach at the end of a season opening victory over the Vancouver Giants on Saturday, Sep. 24, 2022, at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Coach, GM Williams leaving Silvertips for Bowling Green State

After seven successful season leading Everett, Dennis Williams is heading back to his alma mater. He’ll stay with the Tips through the WHL playoffs.

Stanwood High School student athletes during their signing day ceremony. (Courtesy of Stanwood High School)
Local class of 2024 athletes who have signed to play in college

A running list of 2024 high school athletes who are set to compete at the next level.

Mountlake Terrace’s Jaxon Dubiel talks with head coach Nalin Sood during the 3A boys state basketball game against Todd Beamer on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024 in Tacoma, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘It was just time’: Mountlake Terrace basketball coach Sood steps down

Nalin Sood guided his alma mater to 381 wins and 15 state berths in 24 seasons as head coach. He spent over four decades with the program.

University of Washington's new men's basketball coach Danny Sprinkle meets the news media, Wednesday, March 27, 2024 in Seattle. (Ken Lambert/The Seattle Times via AP)
Taking over at Washington personal for men’s basketball coach Sprinkle

Danny Sprinkle spoke about his connection to the school during his introductory press conference Wednesday.

X
Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26

Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.