A week of nights off for regulars in the Mariners lineup continues Thursday night.

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First baseman Ty France, Seattle’s leading hitter, will sit in the 7:10 p.m. opener of a rare five-game set against the Los Angeles Angels, which will air live on Seattle Sports. It’s probably not a bad day for France to get some rest with Shohei Ohtani, the two-way superstar and reigning American League MVP, on the mound for the Angels, as well as a doubleheader upcoming Saturday.

France appears on his way to his first All-Star Game invitation this season, slashing .317/.394/.486 for an .880 OPS with 10 home runs and 41 RBIs. He’s tied for the league lead in games played, having started in all 63 for the Mariners thus far – 62 at first base and one at designated hitter. He is in somewhat of a minislump this month, however, slashing .214/.302/.411 for a .712 OPS in 14 games in June.

According to Shannon Drayer, Mariners insider for Seattle Sports, France’s day off was planned by manager Scott Servais but he also is dealing with some soreness from a play in Wednesday’s loss to the Twins.

Servais had talked about getting France a day off this week but it turns out it was needed today. France still sore from diving tag he made late in yesterday’s game. Doesn’t appear serious, just needs a day.

— Shannon Drayer (@shannondrayer) June 16, 2022

With France out, the Mariners will have Dylan Moore take over at first base while Julio Rodríguez, who was off Monday, moves from third in the batting order to France’s customary No. 2 spot. Jesse Winker, who received a day off Tuesday, will hit third.

Shortstop J.P. Crawford, who missed the past two games after being a late scratch Tuesday due to illness, will hit leadoff for the first time this season as had initially been planned for Tuesday.

Opposing Ohtani in the pitching matchup will be Mariners rookie George Kirby, who is 1-1 with a 3.65 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, and 35 strikeouts to just four walks over seven starts (26 innings).

Los Angeles’ lineup will feature Mike Trout hitting second in what will be the superstar center fielder’s first game at T-Mobile Park since May 2, 2021 (he missed most of last season with a calf injury) and his first in front of a Seattle crowd without COVID-19 restrictions since 2019.

Coverage begins on Seattle Sports, the flagship of the Mariners Radio Network, with the pregame show at 6 p.m.

For details on how to stream Mariners games from Seattle Sports on your phone or another device, click here.

Here are the full lineups for Thursday’s game.

Mariners (28-35)

First of five against the Angels. pic.twitter.com/CBqRNlBQex

— Seattle Mariners (@Mariners) June 16, 2022

Angels (29-35)

Taylor Ward, RF
Mike Trout, CF
Shohei Ohtani, P
Jared Walsh, 1B
Brandon Marsh, LF
Matt Duffy, 3B
Max Stassi, C
Tyler Wade, SS
Luis Rengifo, 2B

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