The Twins will start off a 6-game road trip with a stop out west to face the Seattle Mariners. The Mariners literally got off to a slow start this season when they were forced to sit around in Cleveland for an entire weekend as games got postponed. None of the four games were able to be played. They were also postponed on Thursday in Boston. When they've been able to play they've been up and down. The Mariners have lost by lopsided scores such as 9-0 and 14-3 and they've recently had lopsided victories against Texas (8-3 and 14-3).

The Mariners boast one of the best pitchers in baseball thus far in Felix Hernandez, who the Twins will have the misfortune of facing on Wednesday night. The full pitching matchups look like:

• Tuesday: Ramon Ortiz (2-0, 1.80 ERA) vs. Jeff Weaver (0-1, 31.50 ERA) Advantage Twins
• Wednesday: Carlos Silva (0-1, 0.77 ERA) vs. Felix Hernandez (2-0, 0.00 ERA) Advantage Mariners
• Thursday: Johan Santana (2-1, 3.60 ERA) vs. Jared Washburn (0-1, 3.75 ERA) Advantage Twins

It's really too bad that Santana and Hernandez couldn't match up against each other, but maybe it gives the Twins a better chance of winning the series since Hernandez has been practically unhittable this season (he threw a 1-hitter against Boston last Wednesday).

Felix Hernandez hasn't allowed a run in 17.0 IP this season.

The Mariner lineup is:

• Kenji Johjima, C: Johjima was a japanese import for the Mariners last season and he had a good rookie campaign. He's an above average hitting catcher.
• Richie Sexson, 1B: Richie Sexson was a big free agent pick up in the 2005 season, and he's continued to do what he always does. Hit for a lot of power and strike out even more.
• Jose Lopez, 2B: Lopez rounds out the bottom of the lineup and hits for little power. He was actually an AL all-star last season.
• Adrian Beltre, 3B: Beltre was a big free agent signing flop for the Mariners in 2005. He hit 25 HR and posted a .303 OBP last season which is nothing near his big 2004 season.
• Yuniesky Betancourt, SS: Betancourt hit .289 last season, but he has little power and only walked 17 times last season. He usually bats in the 8-hole.
• Raul Ibanez, LF: Ibanez had a career year in 2006 with 33 HR and 123 RBI. I'll be surprised if he can match those numbers, but he's been a solid hitter for years.
• Ichiro Suzuki, CF: Ichiro is the well-known lead-off hitter. He's in the final year of his contract. He'll typically steal a lot of bases, but has just 1 so far this season.
• Jose Guillen, RF: Guillen is coming off an injury plagued season in 2006 with Washington. The Mariners hope he can match the 20+ homeruns he's had in 3 of the past 4 years.
• Jose Vidro, DH: Vidro is not your typical DH and for good reason. The former second basemen had a couple good years with Montreal circa 2000, but his career is winding down and everyone seems to realize that except the Mariners.

The Mariners' closer is J.J. Putz, but he has yet to get a save opportunity this season. Putz recorded 36 saves for the Mariners last season.

Mariner Blogs

• Lookout Landing
• U.S.S. Mariner
• Seattle Marinerds

Twins Outlook

It's been discovered that Nick Punto, who has missed the past 2 games, is suffering from a sprained ankle that he hurt in batting practice on Saturday. Normally, I wouldn't be too concerned about Punto being absent, but with Jeff Cirillo on the DL and no other viable options for third base we'll be left with more Luis Rodriguez. Punto could be back in the lineup some time during the series.