CLEVELAND — At some point during the upcoming three-game series against Cleveland at Progressive Field, Mariners rookie Yusei Kikuchi hopes to have another conversation with Indians star pitcher Trevor Bauer.
It would most likely happen Saturday afternoon because Kikuchi is scheduled to pitch in Friday’s opener and Bauer is slated to throw Sunday in the series finale. Maybe it’s lunch somewhere or another pregame encounter before they go about their daily routines when they aren’t starting.
The two pitchers from vastly different backgrounds met at Kikuchi’s request the morning of April 16 near the backstop at T-Mobile Park.