Athletics Vs. Mariners Preview: Oakland Kicks Off Road Trip With Series In Seattle

The Oakland Athletics managed to salvage their opening homestand with a series win over the Kansas City Royals. On Friday, they'll set off on their first road trip of the year, with seven away games in as many days before returning to the O.co Coliseum. Their first road series will be against the Seattle Mariners, who it seems just left town.

The A's, of course, opened the season against the Mariners with two games in Japan, finishing up the series with a pair of games in Oakland. The Mariners took three of those first four games and now the A's will be looking to even the score as they head into Safeco Field to try and spoil Seattle's home opener.

The A's are all too familiar with the M's at this point and they'll have to deal with their ace once again on Friday, as Felix Hernandez is scheduled to make the start for Seatle. Oakland will send Bartolo Colon to the hill. Amazingly, due to the staggered nature of the year's opening series, this will be the third start for both pitchers ... each of which has come in an A's vs. Mariners game. Colon will be looking to improve on his last start against Seattle, in which he gave up seven runs in 4.1 innings. Hernandez, meanwhile, gave up six runs in his last start against Oakland, but managed the win.

After the Mariners series wraps up on Sunday, the A's will visit the Los Angeles Angels for four games next week.

For all news and information regarding the Oakland A's, please visit Athletics Nation. For updates and perspective regarding the Seattle Mariners, head on over to Lookout Landing or check out SB Nation Seattle.