The Seattle Mariners today announced the 2018 Cactus League schedule which includes the most Spring Training games the club has played at night. Of the 16 home games at the Peoria Sports Complex, nine will start at 6:40 pm MT (5:40 pm PST). That's more than double the number of night games played in previous years.
The first game of the spring is the annual charity game vs. the San Diego Padres, is set for Friday, February 23 (1:10pm MST, 12:10pm PST). The game will benefit charitable causes in the Peoria area.
Some of the highlights of the Spring Training schedule include:
Night Games
The additional night games on the Mariners spring schedule are related to scientific research into the performance-related benefits players can derive by maintaining regular sleep patterns, and the desire to prepare them for the routine of regular season start times.
N.L. West
The Mariners will see a lot of the National League West, next season's interleague opponents. There are a total of 10 games against NL West teams: one against the Dodgers and three each against the Giants, Padres and ColoradoRockies. The Arizona Diamondbacks are the only NL West team not on the Mariners spring schedule.
In addition, the Mariners play their American League West division rivals nine times: three games each against the Los Angeles Angels, TexasRangers and Oakland Athletics. (The Houston Astros train in Florida.)
The final game on the Mariners spring schedule is Tuesday, March 27 against the Rockies at Salt River Field. After the game, the Mariners fly to Seattle for the season opener against the Indians on Thursday, March 29.
The Mariners spring training schedule is available now on Mariners.com/Spring. Major League Baseball announced the complete spring training schedule earlier today.
Information on spring radio and TV coverage on 710 ESPN Seattle and ROOT SPORTS Northwest will be announced later.
Spring Training Tickets
A special presale of 2018 Spring Training single-game tickets for Mariners season ticket holders and Mariners Mail subscribers will take place beginning November 29. Single-game tickets will be available to all fans, online-only (Mariners.com/Tickets), beginning Saturday, December 6 at 9:00 am Pacific. The Peoria box office opens on Saturday, January 27, 2018.
Spring Training Travel
Spring Training Travel packages are now available. These flexible packages include a choice of accommodations, car rental, game tickets, parking and commemorative Mariners Spring Training merchandise. Check Mariners.com/SpringTraining for details on packages and pricing.
Seattle Mariners Reporting Dates:
Feb. 14 - Pitchers & Catcher Report
              -Pitchers & Catchers Physicals
Feb. 15 - Pitchers & Catchers Workout
Feb. 19 - Position Players Report
              -Position Players Physicals
Feb. 20 - First Full Squad Workout