Well, how about that!

Just when you think the cosmic forces of the universe were lined-up to prevent the Mariners from taking the first two games of the season-opening series versus the Athletics, the upstart M's found themselves on top by a score of 8-6. It made sense for the A's to tab Joe Blanton to fill the injured Esteban loaiza's number two spot in the rotation, considering he singularly was the Mariners' number one arch-nemesis in 2006. A new year turns over a new leaf, and the mariners enjoyed success at the league-average pitcher that the rest of the league saw last season.

The end result was the Mariners enjoying their first 2-0 record since 1996. Not even in the historical 2001 season did the M's win their first two games!

Beltre may have gone hitles in three at-bats, but he did pick up his first RBI of the season on a sacrifice fly. Newcomer Jose Guillen got his first two hits as a Mariner, including a double, and scored twice. Yuniesky Betancourt, not terribly known for his power, keyed a four-run seventh inning with a two-run home run, and Richie Sexson knocked hissecond homer in as many days. Though he didn't pick up the win, Jarrod Washburn allowed just three hits and two runs in six innings. In short, it was a soli all-around effort, and the sample size may just be two games but the M's have played flawless baseball in the young 2007 season.

The Marienrs have a chance for a season-opening three-game sweep tonight, but Ithink it'll be pretty unlikely. Tonight they face the wicked, wicked offerings of Rich Harden, who is probably the Athletics' most talented pitcher and if he were to stay healthy would be the consensus pick for the team's ace. Harden had a strong spring, finishing with a 1.53 ERA. Like Blanton, Harden has enjoyed tremendous success against Seattle, with a career 4-1 won-loss record and a 1.49 ERA. Raul Libanez is the only Marienr batter to have hit a home run off of Harden- one of his two hits in 18 career at-bats versus the Canadian fireballer. Richie Sexson has three extra-base hits off of Harden- all doubles- in eleven career at-bats. I bet as a team, the Mariners aren't looking forward to facing Mr. Harden tonight.

On the mound for Seattle is Miguel Batista, who is making his starting debut for the Mariners. The last time we saw Batista was last Friday in which he was getting shelled by the Chicago Cubs, giving up seven hits and four runs in three innings. Batista has struggled in his career against the A's, with a career 5.72 ERA in 13 appearances against them, including six starts. Still, none of the current Athletics batters have hit a home run off of batista, and the Athletic who has enjoyed the most success- Mark Kotsay- has started the season on the DL.

Regardless, this is going to be a pretty brutal game to watch for Mariners fans. I know I was pessimisitc with Seattle's chances versus Joe Blanton, but Rich Harden is an entirely different level of pitcher than Blanton. I'm not sure how many hits the Mariners will be able to push across, but I'm willing to wager that it will be less than five. The final score should be something along the lines of 5-1, with a very good chance that Harden will deny the M's a chance of scoring any runs at all...