Mariners vs. Athletics: Major League Baseball Says Goodbye to the Tokyo Dome

The Seattle Mariners (1-0) and Oakland Athletics (0-1) will close out the Gloops Japan Opening Series 2012 from the Tokyo Dome in Japan, with the first pitch scheduled for 5:10 a.m. EDT.

Las Vegas oddsmakers have established the Athletics as slight -110 favorites, while the total is 8.5 across the board.

Seattle opened the series with a 3-1 extra-innings victory on Wednesday, as star outfielder Ichiro Suzuki put on a show for his native country in racking up four hits.

The Mariners will play 19 total games against one of their American League West rivals this year, as they've won seven of their last eight season openers.

Jason Vargas hopes to move past a disappointing spring training that saw him post an 0-1 record and 12.46 ERA in three Cactus League starts.

The Mariners left-hander registered a 10-13 mark and 4.25 ERA in 32 starts a year ago, as he is set to begin his eighth year in the big leagues.

He will also look for improved numbers against the Athletics, tallying a 1-3 record and 3.86 ERA in five outings during the 2011 campaign.

Bettors will find that the Mariners are 2-5 in Vargas' last seven starts versus divisional foes.

Oakland has gotten use to starting off on the wrong foot, dropping its eighth consecutive game to open a new season.

The Athletics managed to collect just six hits and were unable to build upon their 14-5-2 record that they put together during the spring.

It's important to note that the franchise will return to its preseason schedule in facing San Francisco for three games starting on April 2 in the Bay Area.

Bartolo Colon is set to pitch for his eighth team since getting signed by the Cleveland Indians in 1993, as he comes off an 8-10 season with a 4.00 ERA in 29 appearances (26 starts) with the New York Yankees.

The right-hander is no stranger to pitching against the Mariners, going 14-11 with a 4.13 ERA in 29 career starts.

His 14 wins against tonight's opponent is second among active MLB pitchers, trailing only Boston's John Lackey (15) in the category.

I'm expecting some runs to be scored in the series finale with umpire Jeff Nelson behind the dish, as the "over" was 21-12 in his games a year ago.

Pick: Over 8.5 Runs