Two out of Three

The Seattle Mariners lost today (Sunday) to the Blue Jays in Toronto with the score of 8-2. TaiJuan Walker started out good but struggled in the fifth inning giving up two two-run home runs. Going into the game the Mariners did a really good job against the Blue Jays though the hitting still has been somewhat suspect.

The issue now what will the Mariners do in the pitching rotation in Walker’s spot? Personally I have mentioned that I am not a big fan of the five man rotation anyway but I will not go there. It does look like Walker sometimes and that is a big sometimes goes well through the batting order the first time. The problem right now is that the Mariners really do not have any starting pitchers at Triple A to help out. Also, the Mariners need to find a way to use Walker without him losing more confidence. It is quite a dilemma that I am not sure there is an answer.

The manager likes to have the starter go at least five innings but with Walker they may want to limit him to maybe four innings. It is possible to start Tom Wihelmsen instead and bring in Walker in the fourth inning.

Again today Farquhar pitched for the Mariners coming in for Walker. He finished off the sixth inning getting one batter but had problems in the seventh. According to TV analyst Mike Blowers Farquhar is struggling with the cutter which is his number one pitch. This shows right now the Mariners have two positions in the pitching to figure out to resolve. We can only hope that things will resolve soon, and no other problems happen in the pitching.

Going onto Tampa Bay we can only hope the Mariners can win two out three there as well. This would give them a winning record of 5-4 on the road trip.

We will be seeing this week if Austin Jackson returns from his rehab assignment at Tacoma. The question that has been going on who will he replace. Though his hitting has not been good Chris Taylor playing very good shortstop; I would say likely Willie Bloomquist will be released unless someone else gets hurt in the meantime. The Mariners have several other ways to go and what the answer is anyone’s guess.

Jackie Z. now the time to get your thinking cap on and see what the Mariners can go out and get. Until Iwakuma gets back the Mariners need to look to see what veteran starting pitcher is available.