Seattle Mariners Home Opener: Live Blog and Open Thread

Apr 8, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; Confetti falls at the home plate gate of Safeco Field as the gates are officially opened before a game against the Oakland Athletics. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 8, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; Confetti falls at the home plate gate of Safeco Field as the gates are officially opened before a game against the Oakland Athletics. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports /
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Whether you’re looking for live updates or want to join in the conversation, stick with Emerald City Swagger for our coverage of the Seattle Mariners home opener.

The moment we’ve all been waiting for has finally arrived – the Seattle Mariners‘ home opener. The question is, will they be able to get their home schedule off to a winning start, when they take the field against the Houston Astros?

As we know, the Mariners and Astros have already faced each other this year in Houston, with the home team taking the series 3-1. As a result, this three-game series at Safeco Field now takes on more importance for the M’s.

To date, the Mariners have an all-time record of 24-16 in home openers. They will be hoping for a similar result to the previous time they faced the Astros in a home opener, after emerging victorious in 2013.

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James Paxton will take the mound for the home side, having pitched a fine game in his last outing against the same opponent. Although he ended up with a no decision, Paxton went six innings, while allowing just two hits and no runs.

The Astros will counter with Charlie Morton, who gave up five hits and two runs in six innings of action last time out against the Mariners. With a career record of 46-71 in 162 starts, the M’s will aim to add another defeat to Morton’s loss column.

It would be an understatement to say the season has not exactly gone to plan so far for the Mariners, compounded by Sunday’s stunning ninth-inning collapse in Anaheim. However, there’s nothing like a home opener to bring renewed energy and anticipation.

Emerald City Swagger will be providing regular updates as we draw closer to first pitch at 2:10 pm PT. In the meantime, here’s some required reading to help you with the countdown to the start of the Mariners’ home opener:

Top 5 Mariners of All Time

9 Statistical Predictions for the Lineup

Why the M’s Will Make the Postseason

8 Key Home Series’ for 2017

A Mariners’ fan’s Review of MLB 17 The Show

Mariners’ 2017 Outlook

Next: Is it Worth Bringing Doug Fister Back?

Stick with us throughout the day, as we provide regular updates during the buildup and once the action begins. Scroll down to the comments section to join in the conversation.