Rockies vs. Mariners spring training preview: Brett Anderson makes his Rox debut

It has been quite a while since the Rockies have acquired a pitcher that I've been as excited about as Brett Anderson. Part of that speaks to how few and far between these acquisitions occur, but a larger part of it is that Anderson could give the Rockies' rotation a huge boost.

The first step toward that potential success takes place today, when a Rockies split-squad takes on a Mariners split-squad in Peoria, Ariz., at 1:05 p.m. MT. Anderson won't have the best lineup behind him, but that obviously doesn't matter much; instead, the eyes (ears?) of Rockies fans will be fixated on Anderson's pitch arsenal and how he commands it. And, of course, if he can make it through a couple of innings without any red flags health-wise.

Jon Gray is among a group of seven other pitchers who could/should see action against the Mariners, who will send Blake Beavan to the mound to start the game.

Here are the lineups, which, for the Rockies, resembles a Sky Sox and/or typical Rockies-in-August group:

The other half of the Rockies' spring training roster will appear at Salt River Fields against the Diamondbacks later tonight.