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Morales has a career .330 average against the Yankees.

Knowing the competition: Seattle Mariners

Morales has a career .330 average against the Yankees.

 

Threat Level: 5

The Mariners biggest move of the offseason was signing Felix Hernandez to a 7-year, $175 million extension, a record contract for a pitcher. Other than that move, their only other significant move was trading Jason Vargas for Kendrys Morales, who was the odd man out on the Angels. Morales provides some much needed experience and power to a Mariners lineup that was last in the American League in runs scored in 2012. They scored a mere 619 runs, 48 runs behind the 13th placed Indians and 185 runs behind the 2nd place Yankees. To say they needed more offense would be putting it lightly. However, the Mariners are loaded with young pitching talent. Taijuan Walker, Danny Hultzen, James Paxton are all starting pitching prospects with a lot of potential and made Vargas expendable. Also, it appears that prospect Brandon Maurer is going to make the rotation. If this team can get some consistent offense, they could become a force in the American League with King Felix leading the rotation once all the young pitchers come of age.

 

Projected Lineup

1. Michael Saunders RF

2. Kyle Seager 3B

3. Kendrys Morales DH

4. Michael Morse LF

5. Justin Smoak 1B

6. Jesus Montero C

7. Dustin Ackley 2B

8. Franklin Gutierrez CF

9. Brendan Ryan SS

 

Projected Starting Rotation

1. Felix Hernandez RHP

2. Hisashi Iwakuma RHP

3. Joe Saunders LHP

4. Brandon Maurer RHP

5. Blake Beavan RHP

 

Closer

Tom Wilhelmsen RHP

 

Yankee Killer: Kendrys Morales

Morales has a career .330 average against the Yankees, with 6 home runs and 18 RBI’s. In 2011, Morales broke his leg and did not play the Yankees and had an underwhelming season against the pinstripes in 2012. However, in 2010, Morales could not be contained. He batted .524 (11-21) with 3 home runs and 8 RBI’s in 6 games. The Yankees would not want to see an outburst like that again in 2013.

 

Mariner Killer: Robinson Cano

Although the power numbers are not there for Cano against the Mariners (only 6 home runs in 67 games), he does have a .328 average and 43 RBI’s. Also interesting to note, he has 24 career doubles against Seattle, which is the highest of all non-AL East opponents. So, he is hitting the ball with authority, but the balls are staying in the ballpark. Perhaps, he can add a few more home runs to his career total against Seattle this season.

 

When They Play The Yankees:

IN NY: 5/14-5/16.

IN SEA: 6/6-6/9.