MLB PREVIEW: Let's Play Two. Seattle Mariners and Miami Marlins

By Andrew Marcus
Sportswriter for Lansdale Reporter

Follow me on Twitter @amarcus515

#8.

PROJECTED LINEUP
CF Austin Jackson
3B Kyle Seager
2B Robinson Cano
DH Nelson Cruz
RF Seth Smith
LF Dustin Ackley
C Mike Zunino
1B Logan Morrison
SS Brad Miller

PROJECTED ROTATION
Felix Hernandez
Hisashi Iwamkuma
Taijuan Walker
James Paxton
JA Happ

PROJECTED BULLPEN
Closer: Fernando Rodney
Set-up: Danny Farquhar

Top Prospect: DJ Peterson (3B)

BREAKOUT - I try not to look at Spring Training stats too much, but when a player has the minor league pedigree and some success at the big league level it is hard not to overlook the dominance for Taijuan Walker. In 18 innings he has fanned 19 batters and not allowed a run. I'll bank on a breakout here for the former top prospect.

SPRING STORYLINES - While it's actually the stadium the frustrates me and I cannot look at the offense and think Nelson Cruz can do what he did in Baltimore or any Mariner can produce like they would outside of Safeco. However the pitching staff has a chance to be dangerous and the Mariners should be able to squeak in enough runs to support a playoff team.

LAST YEAR'S RECORD: 87-75 (3rd in AL West)

PROJECTED 2013 FINISH: 90-74 (2nd in AL West)

#7. 

PROJECTED LINEUP
2B Dee Gordon
LF Christian Yelich
RF Giancarlo Stanton
1B Mike Morse
CF Marcel Ozuna
3B Martin Prado
C Jarrod Saltalamacchia
SS Adeiny Hechavarria

PROJECTED ROTATION
Mat Latos
Henderson Alvarez
Dan Haren
Jared Cosart
Tom Koehler

Jose Fernandez (out until June)

PROJECTED BULLPEN
Closer: Steve Cishek
Set-up Man: Aaron Crow

Top Prospect: Tyler Nolek (P)

BREAKOUT - While Steve Cishek had his ups and downs during his team as a Marlins closer, pitching for a contender will show the Fish what they have in the back-end of their bullpen. I don't Cishek will be lights out, but he will not lose his job and flirt with 40 saves in South Beach.

SPRING STORYLINES - The Marlins made some nice tweaks to the team this off season and it might just come down to chemistry for personalities like Dee Gordon, Mat Latos, and Mike Morse. If they can keep it together until July when Jose Fernandez returns, the Marlins might even challenge for a National League East crown. The Marlins seem to win it all every six -to - 12 years or so.

LAST YEAR'S RECORD: 77-85 (4th in NL East)

PROJECTED 2013 FINISH: 91-71 (2nd in NL East)

**Check back tomorrow for the Orioles and Cardinals