So I was musing on something earlier. And maybe it's been talked to death somewhere else. But humor me.
Why the insistence on starting M's pitchers in the 1-2-3 order we've rolled them out? What I mean is, why did Felix have to pitch Game 1, besides pride and the honor of being Opening Day Starter? The reason I say it, is that the beginning of the season is the one time essentially that you can choose your pitching matchup. And, as the Mariners started the season on the road, you said it yourself, Doc, 2-2 in Houston would be fine. So why not throw out a meatball to eat some innings against Keuchel in Game 1, and slot your 1-2-3 guys in for the next ones? Added bonus you could have gotten the first game of Gallardo out of the way earlier ;)
Maybe it's all moot, as the M's could still start 2-2, and Paxton is the number 1 anyway, so perhaps the M's already have done this! Just wondering what better baseball minds than mine will say.