Mariners News

We’re getting a clearer look at who the Mariners’ next manager could be.

The Athletic reported a list of candidates today as the team enters an “advanced stage” of their search process. It named former Astros manager Joe Espada, Dodgers special assistant Rocco Baldelli and Cubs director of player development Jason Kanzler as current candidates for skipper.

The Athletic added that there are more candidates who are still in play.

It comes as the outlet also reported that the Mariners are hoping to finish the hiring process by the end of October.

In other Mariners news, Mitch Garver has been reported to be retiring after a 10-year career in the MLB, including the last three seasons in Seattle.

 

Meanwhile, another one of the Mariners’ division foes is in the market for a new skipper.

The Los Angeles Angels announced today that they’ve declined the club option in Kurt Suzuki’s contract and will begin searching for a new manager.

Suzuki, a former catcher, guided the Angels to a 62-100 season, which set a franchise record for losses.

That leaves the AL West with a third opening, as the Mariners, Astros and Angels are currently the only teams in the MLB without a manager.

Kraken News

The Kraken picked up a win last night to start their homestand.

They edged the Red Wings 4-3 in a shootout for their second win over Detroit in the last two weeks.

Seattle nearly blew a 3-0 lead entering the third quarter when Detroit forced extra time, but Bobby McMann scored the winning goal in the shootout. Philipp Grubauer made 22 saves in regulation before denying the Red Wings to end the shootout and help the Kraken avoid a third straight loss.

The Kraken continue their homestand tomorrow by facing the Central Division-leading Utah Mammoth. Coverage begins at 6:30 and puck drops at 7 on KGMI.

WWU Vikings News

The college basketball season is almost underway.

Western’s women’s team is hosting Trinity Western tonight in a preseason exhibition match. The Viks were picked to repeat as GNAC champs in a preseason coaches poll.

Tonight’s game tips off at 6:00 from Carver Gym.

The Western men and women will both open their regular seasons on the road next Friday when they travel to Ellensburg for the Central Washington University Tip-Off Classic.

Meanwhile, the Huskies women are earning plenty of national respect ahead of their season. UW came in at No. 16 in the preseason AP Top 25 poll.

They’ll look to build on last year’s 22-win season as former Nooksack Valley standout Devin Coppinger enters her junior year.

Prep Sports News

There’s a big prep volleyball matchup going down in Whatcom County tonight.

Lynden Christian is hosting Meridian in a meeting between the top 1A teams in the Northwest Conference. The Trojans have yet to lose in league play this season, but a win by the Lyncs would keep them in contention for the No. 1 seed in the district tournament.

The match starts at 7:00 tonight from LC.

Meanwhile, we saw two of the best in the county go at it in girls soccer last night.

Bellingham edged Squalicum 1-0 to stay undefeated and lock up the No. 1 seed in districts, which begin on Monday.