After getting to the American League Championship Series in 2025, the Seattle Mariners began the journey back on Friday afternoon, beating the San Diego Padres 7-4 in the Cactus League opener at the Peoria Sports Complex.

The Mariners will take on the San Francisco Giants on Saturday afternoon (12:10 p.m. PT). 

Here's what you need to know from the opener.

1) This game featured the full Michael Arroyo experience. Arroyo started the game at second base, misplaying a ground ball on the first play of the game, but then he went 2-for-2 at the plate with a two-run homer and a double to the right-center gap.

We spoke before the game with manager Dan Wilson about the defensive plan for Arroyo, who could also see time at third base and the outfield this spring.

2) After we saw him at shortstop in infield drills on Thursday, top prospect Colt Emerson started the game at third base. Jerry Dipoto seemed to leave the door ajar for Emerson to play second or third for this team, but third base does seem to be the spot he'll get more work.

3) Speaking of top prospects, Lazaro Montes worked a fantastic at-bat against All-Star closer Mason Miller, singling to right field on an offspeed pitch. Wilson called it a "great" at-bat postgame.

4) Several key starters played in this game in an effort to get real preparation before leaving for the World Baseball Classic. Cal Raleigh, Julio Rodriguez, Randy Arozarena, and Josh Naylor all started, as did J.P. Crawford. Raleigh played half the game and got three at-bats, going 0-for-3.

5) The crowd was excellent in this game: 9,956. It's the largest crowd for a Mariners  spring home opener in Peoria Sports Complex history. The appetite for the Mariners is strong coming off the first American League West title since 2001. The crowds at regular spring workouts have reflected it as well.

6) Cooper Criswell, acquired via trade this offseason from the New York Mets, pitched well. He tossed two scoreless innings, allowing one hit and striking out three. He fanned both Jackson Merrill and Manny Machado. He could be a reliever or a spot starter for this team.

7) Rough day for back-end of the bullpen candidates Troy Taylor and Alex Hoppe. Taylor allowed a solo home run and a walk in one inning of work, while Hoppe gave up two earned runs on a hit and two walks in 0.2 innings. He did flash upper-90s velocity.

8) Luke Raley looked comfortable at the plate, going 2-of-2 in the leadoff spot. He also played center field. His leadoff single came off a lefty.

9) In addition to Arroyo's homer, Leo Rivas also homered. Miles Mastrobuoni ripped a double to the right-center gap.

10) Cal Raleigh was 0-for-2 on ABS challenges, missing one as a catcher and one as a hitter.

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