PEORIA, Ariz. -- The road to respectability in the American League West is difficult enough for the Seattle Mariners and Oakland Athletics -- competing against the two-time defending AL champion Texas Rangers and the free-spending Los Angeles Angels.
But there's going to be a little extra challenge this season, thanks to an unusual wrinkle in their preparations.
The two teams depart their Cactus League bases on Thursday for a nine-day swing through the Far East that features a pair of exhibition games and the Japan Opening Series, a two-game set with the Oakland Athletics at the Tokyo Dome that will count in the regular season standings.
While the series, the first season opener in Japan since the Red Sox-A's in 2008 and the fourth overall, does provide the unique opportunity to experience another culture and a different style of baseball, it also comes with its challenges.
"This whole thing is going to be a challenge," Seattle second baseman Dustin Ackley said. "We play the two regular season games, and then it's a week or so before we play the third game. It's going to be a challenge, but I think everybody's excited to be going over there and doing this."
The awkward scheduling calls for the Mariners to return to Arizona and play five more Cactus League games before their U.S. opener on April 6.
Tokyo is 16 hours ahead of Arizona and the West Coast, and players will have to alter their sleep routines both coming and going. And, of course, there's the inevitable jet lag.
"I guess we're going to be told when to sleep and when not to sleep," starting pitcher Blake Beavan said. "I know everybody will be trying to get used to it. Luckily we have a couple days before we play our first game against Oakland to try to adjust."
Added Ackley: "I've heard that coming back is the hardest part. I've heard people are adjusting for weeks if you don't do it right, so I think that's going to be crucial for us."
There's also the simple fact both teams are starting the season much earlier than everyone else, though the Mariners did arrive for spring camp well ahead of the rest of the Cactus League, the A's included. While the two games that count in the standings are not until March 28-29, both teams play exhibitions with the Yomiuri Giants and Hanshin Tigers in the days before.
But along with the inconveniences, the players realize the trip also offers an opportunity that doesn't come along every day.
"It's probably something we'll never do again," Ackley said. "It's definitely something that's very exciting, especially getting to see the culture."
The trip likely means much more to the Mariners organization because they have the added excitement of three prominent Japanese players on their roster: outfielder Ichiro Suzuki, pitcher Hasashi Iwakuma and infielder Munenori Kawasaki.
Ichiro's return is undoubtedly the greatest attraction of the series, as he remains one of the most popular and regarded Japanese athletes even with his performance slipping a bit. Iwakuma, though, will also be closely scrutinized, as this is his first season in American baseball. Iwakuma, 30, has scuffled this spring, allowing eight runs (five earned) over nine innings in his first three outings, but he's excited to return to Japan.
"My Japanese fans want to see how I will perform there," Iwakuma said through a translator. "I am eager to show them I'm doing well."
The trip takes on added significance for Iwakuma because it’s American baseball's first appearance in Japan since a massive earthquake and tsunami struck in March of last year. For the past seven seasons, Iwakuma played for the Rakuten Golden Eagles, a Pacific League club based in Sendai, which was hit hard by the earthquake.
"I come from there so I want to show them in a Mariners uniform I'm doing pretty good and give them hope," Iwakuma said.
Other Mariners recognize the significance of the trip for their Japanese teammates and are eager to see the response they get. Players are similarly keen to see how the two styles of baseball compare, and how Japanese fans perceive theirs.
"I know they appreciate baseball over there, and they're very respectful as a culture," Beavan said. "It's just going to be exciting to see how they look at us, the way we go about our business and the way we play the game in America. Hopefully we can give them a good show over there."
