M’s Open Against Angels Tonight

It’s still special to Felix Hernandez. Even after all these years, the thrill of making the start on opening day hasn’t lost its meaning to the Mariners ace. “For sure, it’s the start of the new season,” he said. “It’s always fun. It’s the start of a new season. It’s on national TV. So you gotta do good.” When Hernandez steps to the mound tonight at Angels Stadium and throws that first pitch for the Mariners, it will be the seventh time he’s done so in his career. It will set a club record, surpassing the record he shared with Randy Johnson of six opening-day starts. It’s definitely an accomplishment and a tribute to his consistent success. “Not bad, not bad,” he said. “He’s (Johnson) a great pitcher. He’s going to be a Hall of Famer. So that’s pretty good company to be in.” In his six opening-day starts, Hernandez is 4-0 with a 1.33 ERA with 41 strikeouts in 47 1/3 innings pitched/ Ryan Divish , Seattle Times. More here. (AP file photo, of Felix Hernandez, tonight’s starter for the Mariners)

Question: How do you think the Mariners will do this season?