The 2023 edition of MLB’s spring training is already underway.
Teams will prepare for the long season with a series of exhibition games to keep themselves ready and start ramping up their respective workloads.
Baseball is in the air, and fans can feel it.
Two playoff teams are facing off on Friday: the Seattle Mariners and the San Diego Padres.
For the first time in 2023… LET’S PLAY BALL!! #SeaUsRise pic.twitter.com/45CiPM9PgB
— Seattle Mariners (@Mariners) February 24, 2023
From left to right in the above photo we have Julio Rodriguez, Ty France, Jarred Kelenic, Eugenio Suarez, Kolten Wong, JP Crawford, and Teoscar Hernandez on the foul line, waiting to hear the most exciting sound these days: the play ball voice .
Seattle won 90 games last season and even took a playoff series from the Toronto Blue Jays.
They were then swept by the Houston Astros, but held leads as late as the ninth inning in the first game and the sixth frame in the second contest.
Facing a crucial offseason, they traded for two big offensive pieces in Hernandez and Wong.
They also signed talented outfielder AJ Pollock.
Rodriguez, however, will be their most important player.
The AL Rookie of the Year in 2022 hit 28 homers and had 25 steals, hitting for a solid average and playing good defense.
If Kelenic can finally develop and the rest of the supporting cast of the lineup can consistently help a talented rotation, Seattle has a chance to take down the Astros.
Luis Castillo, Robbie Ray, Logan Gilbert, and George Kirby can all perform as pitching stars, and the bullpen is deep and talented.
Seattle needs consistency, to avoid big injuries, and a bit of luck, and they could embark on a deep playoff run led by J-Rod.
NEXT:
Video Shows Off The Star Power Of Julio Rodriguez
