Los Angeles Dodgers: Former Mariner will thrive in Seattle

The Los Angeles Dodgers make the trip up north to Safeco Field where one Dodger will likely thrive in his old ballpark.

The Los Angeles Dodgers are coming off a much-needed off-day and are traveling a quick two and a half hour plane flight to the city of Seattle to square off against the Mariners.

This three-game set is huge for the Dodgers, who just came off a five-game losing streak with a walk-off sacrifice fly off the bat of Brian Dozier against the San Francisco Giants. After an off-day for a beat-up bullpen, the Dodgers have hopefully wiped the slate clean and can turn the tide before hosting a wild card challenger in the St. Louis Cardinals.

Not only did Wednesday night’s win come at the perfect time, it also served as a nice extension to our Los Angeles Dodgers Beat the Streak hitting streaks. Although we lost our lengthy streaks in the beginning of the Giants series, both of us are at least off ground zero heading into Seattle.

Sarah went with a great selection in Manny Machado, who had his best game as a Dodger with a 3-5 outing and an RBI. My selection, Justin Turner, did not have as great of a night but still went 1-5 to extend my streak.

Sarah’s pick — Current Streak 1: Chris Taylor

My pick for tonight’s opener in Seattle is the former Mariner, Chris Taylor. Last year Mariners GM Jerry Dipoto said that trading Taylor to the Dodgers in 2016 is his biggest regret as general manager and that he’s “the one we’d like to take back”.

It’s always fun to see players go back to their old ballparks. I mean, seeing Chase Utley wearing Dodger Blue in Philly is pretty amazing, and an absolute joy to watch.

Utley, however, played for Philadelphia for 13 years before being traded to LA, where as CT3 has played 3.5 times as many games as a Dodger than he did as a member of the Mariners.

Nevertheless, this series is going to be fun, not only because of Taylor’s ties to Seattle but because inter-league matchups are always epic.

Jason’s pick — Current streak 1: Chris Taylor

I have to side with Sarah on this one and go with the returning Mariner in Chris Taylor. While Taylor did not have a great career in Seattle, he will enter this series with a chip on his shoulder and look to further prove to the team that traded him that it was a mistake.

I love this returning team narrative and it has worked out nicely for me in the past with Matt Kemp. Tonight, I think Taylor is going to record two extra-base hits and will the Dodgers to a close victory on the road.