Robinson Cano likes the way the Mariners’ lineup is constructed
Mar 22, 2018, 12:39 PM
Jean Segura, Robinson Cano and Nelson Cruz will hit 2-3-4 for the Mariners this season. (AP)
(AP)
Robinson Cano likes what the Mariners have done with their lineup for the 2018 season. In fact, it reminds him of a time when he was hitting second for the New York Yankees and they won the 2009 World Series.
“I always say this: for you to win, you have to have a real leadoff and a second-hole hitter,” Cano told Danny, Dave and Moore, bringing up Seattle’s leadoff man Dee Gordon and No. 2 hitter Jean Segura. “You got Dee and you got Segura, a guy who can go gap to gap. … When I was in New York, I remember until we got Johnny Damon we didn’t win the World Series. (Then) you got a leadoff, you got a guy that knows what he has to do, taking pitches, see pitches for the guys behind so we get a better idea.”
Jim Moore’s observations from Mariners spring training
The Mariners may have a similar thing going with their batting order this season, with Gordon and Segura setting the table for Cano, Nelson Cruz and Kyle Seager, with Mike Zunino, Ryon Healy, Mitch Haniger and (when he returns from injury) Ben Gamel making up the bottom half of the lineup.
With the addition of Gordon and return of Ichiro Suzuki to the Mariners, Cano said the team should have an easier time scoring runs and not have to rely so much on the sluggers hitting balls into the gaps and over the fence.
“We got guys who can run. Last year we only had Segura or Gamel. Well now, Ichi can still run, you got Dee Gordon, you have 4-5 guys that can run. … Now you put pressure on the pitcher.
“The team that we have right now, we can compete with anyone. I don’t care who’s on the mound, who’s pitching.”
Hear Cano’s full interview in the Danny, Dave and Moore podcast.
Cano breaks down Russell Wilson, baseball player
Cano was asked about Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson’s stint in spring training with the Yankees earlier this month, and the 2017 All-Star Game MVP had some thoughts on the former minor leaguer’s one at-bat for New York.
“He has a good cut. I saw that at-bat that he got – he hit a foul ball, it was a good swing,” Cano said.
“And then the guy threw a breaking pitch,” he added to a round of laughter.
Now batting for the @Yankees, @DangeRussWilson … pic.twitter.com/vXJbflcf5R
— MLB (@MLB) March 2, 2018
