McClendon excited to face former team

SEATTLE -- Manager Lloyd McClendon isn't the mushy type, but he hinted he was looking forward to seeing a lot of familiar faces when the Mariners and Tigers kick-off a three-game weekend set.

McClendon was Detroit's bullpen coach in 2006, then the hitting coach from 2007 to 2013.

"It should be a lot of fun - -if we win," McClendon said. "Ask me at 10:30. I'll let you know then. Obviously I have a lot of friends over there. A lot of people I consider family. It'll be good to see them. Other than that, we'll go about our business and try to win a baseball game."

Will McClendon's knowledge of Detroit's lineup help the Mariners?

"You have ideas, you have ways you think you can exploit and help us be successful, but the fact is once the game starts and the players are between the lines, it's up to the players," he said. "You got to execute. There's only so much I can do or my staff can do."