Who
would have thought the Seahawks and the Mariners would both lose and the
Huskies and Cougars both win on the same weekend.
The
Huskies were playing a lower level team in Sacramento State however since they
lost to Boise State last week not sure how the Huskies would perform. It was
nice to see they were able to play well against a lesser team; especially with
the passing game. The thing is we still don’t know the Huskies passing game
will be good or not the rest of the season. In my opinion Jake Browning passing
game should improve over the season. He had over three hundred years in this
game but I think part of it had to do with a poor passing defense on the part
of Sacramento State. Next week against Utah State should give us more
indication one way or another.
The
Cougars on the other hand looks like their offense will have another good year
and the defense so far is not going good. I am not sure if the coaching staff
has figured out it is important to have good defense as well or they just not
have the personal to be better. I am not a cougar fan so I am seeing from a
different view.
The
Seahawk game against the Rams was weird like we all expected. I was sure the
Seahawks come back in the fourth quarter to go ahead by seven with the turn
overs would seal the victory; however, the long pass with Dion Bailey falling
down and leaving the receiver wide open did the Seahawks in.
I
thought the Seahawks offense and defense both played a poor game; however, it
has been common for them to start off the season not playing well. It would
have been nice if the Seahawks could have played a team outside the division in
the first game whether at home or on the road. Playing the Packers in the first
game instead of waiting until the second game would have been much better. The
Seahawks rushing defense for sure needs to improve next week; the passing defense
was OK and we know it will improve as the season goes ahead.
On
the offensive side of the ball the offensive line will need to improve next
week. They did improve over the course of the game; however, they do need
better passing protection. Also, they need to improve on rushing downs in key
situations like the last play of the game that cost them the victory as well.
Some may say it was bad play calling but I call it bad execution. Up until then
the Seahawks had done well in short yardage situations where they needed a
first down. I put that on the offensive line once again. Of course, this was
the first game of the season so I expect a lot better against the Packers next
week. Whether the Seahawks will win or not I still expect better play out of them
on both sides of the ball.
The
Seattle Mariners on the other hand continue what they have all season
especially at home not able to get good pitching and hitting at the same time.
Their best game was on Saturday when they hit four home runs and won the game
7-2. Like so often over the season to they were not able to execute with runs
on base. What I have liken this month is that the bullpen has improved
especially with Tom Wihelmsen as closer. The offense has improved especially on
the road with the addition of Sean O’Malley. He has improved the speed on the
base bath along with Marte. The bottom of the batting order has improved to
with the exception of the catching position. It will be interesting to see who
will come out as the regular catcher next season or whether they will trade for
an experience catcher. We all know they still want Mike Zunino to be the
regular catcher, and I am rooting for him but his hitting does need to improve.
We can hope the hitting for him will help in instructional league. What I hope
the Mariners can do is get another catcher who can play some first base and
designated hitter next season. I am sure the designated hitter will likely be
done most by Cruz along with Trumbo and Montero although they could use a left
handed bat to be in the position sometimes which I prefer is a catcher. I am
sure Seth Smith and Brad Miller both could DH when they are not in the field.
Most of all I hope the Mariners will stop all this right and left handed
platooning next year. I can understand against some pitchers but not all of
them. Also, I don’t like the entire pinch hitting either. In many cases it has
not worked this year. Like I have said a few times Seth Smith and Franklin
Gutierrez would be the only ones I would use as pinch hitters since they have
been the most successful doing so.
Let’s
see how all these teams do this coming week.
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