Mariners Second Half Begins

Tonight the Mariners un-official second half begins. They actually have only 73 games remaining. For the Mariners to make it to eight-one wins to make it five hundred they have to win 40 of those games. For them to match last season’s record of 87 wins they will have to go 46-27. It is a tall order; however, it can be accomplished. Also, for them to make the playoffs 87 wins is likely what they have to come up.

The question is what they must have to do to improve the rest of the way.  I am sure most of us know the answer since it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out. I am sure you have heard this many a time.

The number one answer for the Mariners to do is hit, hit, and hit. So far they have the lowest team batting average in the major leagues. Not only do the Mariners need to get runners on base they have to find a way to get them home as well. Actually they have gotten some runners on base despite a low average the problem is hitting with runners in scoring position. It is so hard to believe how many times the Mariners have had runners on third base with either no outs or one out. In most cases they have not driven those runners home.  All it really takes is a sacrifice fly if not a hit. In a few cases they have scored on a wild pitch but it is funny way to count on scoring.

When it comes to having runners on third base it seems to me I see Austin Jackson there a whole lot. It has to be frustrating for him because almost every time on the third out he is still standing on third base. I am sure you can count on one hand how many times Jackson has actually scored from third base. One thing Edgar Martinez can do is remind each batter when the runner is on third base what he would do in the situation. They being professionals playing the game for a long time they should not have to be reminded but this team seems to be told so.

Another part of hitting with runners on base in scoring position is how little the Mariners are able to hit with two outs. The successful teams are able to do so, and the unsuccessful teams do not. The Mariners seem to be in the position on several occasions during a game at least that I can see anyways. If they could get one hit with two outs one more time each game likely they will win more games. It is the little things that can help them be successful. The Mariners don’t have to be increase the team batting average a lot just hit in the key situations and use little ball.

Manager Lloyd McClendon says that he is going to make changes starting tonight. I really hope we can see those changes even if it is only one thing. Most of the time they are in the games so a little adjustments will go a long ways. I see the main adjustment would be in attitude. This would go for the manager as well as the players. I just thought what can go a long ways is go out and have fun. At this point of the season I don’t really think anyone is expecting to put a light under them and be a different team so why not have some fun.  

Another area for improve-ment of the Mariners is the bullpen. Outside of Furbish, Beimel, Mark Lowe and Carson Smith all the rest of the bullpen have had a long season of struggle. All we need to see is those four pitchers the same way they have all season, and the others have some improve-ment.

The starting pitching only thing they have to do is keep what they have been doing most of the season. They have had their downs on occasions but most part done very well. It is possible the Mariners may need to trade one of the starters to get another bat. Most likely the trade would be either Happ or Iwakuma since they are both veterans and they will be free agents at the end of the season. It is hard to say whether the Mariners plan to sign either when the season is over. Iwakuma is the most likely one to stay.

I am sure I can go on and on what could turn around the Mariners season but I think these changes would help a lot especially the part of having fun. If they take anything from the team that made the first playoff in team history the 1995 team would be for different players make the outstand-ing play to win the game. No one should have the burden that they have to win the game on their own. Like I already said have some fun guys. Go Mariners!