The Mariners are hosting the South Side Sox in Peoria Sports Complex this afternoon, and giving George Kirby his first innings of work of 2026. Following yesterday\u2019s 0-3 loss, the Mariners are sending out a suspiciously Major League-shaped lineup, with Michael Arroyo and Colt Emerson serving as the obligatory \u201cguys who are just happy to be here.\u201d<\/p>\n
On the other side of things, the White Sox are sending Anthony Kay to the mound. Kay is a journeyman pitcher who spent two years across the Pacific in NPB. It\u2019s his first start of the Spring as the former first round pick hopes to break his way back into stateside baseball.<\/p>\n
Backing George up for the Mariners are Michael Morales, Michael Rucker, Troy Taylor, Blas Casta\u00f1o, Alex Hoppe, and Nick Davila. For those keeping score at home that means three (3) Michaels are likely to appear for the Mariners. I wonder what the record is.<\/p>\n
Today\u2019s game is one of the blessedly televised games over on the new Mariners TV service with good ol\u2019 Rick Rizzs and Gary Hill Jr. on the call. I\u2019m still not over the fact that baseball is back. It\u2019s been a long winter without hearing those two\u2019s dulcet tones.<\/p>\n
Watch: Mariners.TV or on Mariners.com<\/p>\n
Listen: Seattle Sports 710AM (sadly delayed until 7 pm PT, with live listen available via Gameday. Though I suppose you could watch the game now at work \u2014 I won\u2019t tell \u2014 and then go home and listen with your family, impressing them with your incredible predictions. A kind of low-stakes Back to the Future Part Two.)<\/p>\n