The best day of the year
MARINERS, MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL
What a list of games to watch today – and if Extra Innings was still on Comcast with a free week … my butt would just be glued to the Laz-E-Boy.
Still, here's the schedule we ran today:
10 a.m.: Devil Rays at Yankees (ESPN)
10 a.m.: Braves at Phillies (TBS)
11 a.m.: Cubs at Reds (ESPN2)
11 a.m.: Cubs at Reds (WGN)
1 p.m.: Red Sox at Royals (ESPN)
3:30 p.m.: Athletics at Mariners (FSN)
4 p.m.: Orioles at Twins (ESPN2)
7 p.m.: Rangers at Angels (ESPN2)
Add to that my XM radio with every game on, well, today is going to be a baseball bacchanal. Then basketball tonight.
But back to the boys of summer. I've told you more than once I would put out my thoughts on the M's season this morning, so I will (though I'm disappointed there wasn't much in the way of input from you guys).
My bold prediction for 2007: The Mariners will not finish fourth in the A.L. West again. Hey, if you wanted really bold, you should have posted comments.
Actually, I was torn between predicting a 2-15 start (see Art Thiel's column for even tougher thoughts about the start) and the end of the Mike Hargrove/Bill Bavasi era (or nightmare) in Seattle, or an A.L. West pennant (yes, it could happen).
They both could happen, I guess, but neither are all that likely. Though, if writing this last year in Detroit, predicting the Tigers in the World Series, many of you would have had my hide. Yes, the M's could be the Tigers of 2007, just because of their lineup (if everyone stays healthy they score a ton of runs) and Felix (a dominant No. 1 starter helps the whole staff improve).
But my guess is they will win 87 games, good enough to keep everyone interested, not good enough to make the postseason. An 87-75 record would probably mean the end of Hargrove and Bavasi (that knocking noise you hear is my knuckles on the wooden desk) and that's good, right? And it would give M's fans hope for the future, right? But is it good enough for you?
Today's hot list …
• The roster was finalized after the trade for outfielder Jason Ellison from San Francisco. The trade means the M's gave up on another young arm, Travis Blackley.
• By the way M's fans, you are putting your faith in a kid who can't even drink a post-game beer yet. Felix turns 21 in six days.
• The Times has a recent history lesson for us. So does the Herald, but it revolves around the A's.
• Here's what's new at Safeco Field this season. Not much. There is, however, a new voice in the broadcast booth.
• I almost forgot: I had this list of good baseball websites in our Biz section today.
And our question for the day …
• Just want two numbers: How many games will the M's win against the A's this season, and how many overall? Click the comment link and let us know.