Cano Continues to be a Hot Hitter

For the first time since 1941 has a second baseman hit a home run in the first three games of the season since Bobbie Doerr.  Quite an accomplish for even someone like Cano.

I don’t think anyone considers Cano a home run hitter. I certainly do not that is for sure. I consider him more of a doubles hitter who is comfortable pulling the ball as much as hitting the other way. Cano is one of the few guys in the major leagues that teams normally do not the shift on which is now so popular.

Today Cano hit two home runs to lead the Mariners to victory over the Texas Rangers. His first home run was early which led the Mariners to a lead. The Rangers came back to take a lead of 5-2 however the Mariners came back late in the game themselves to win 9-5. Cano is not only showing he has power that fits in the Rangers field he is among those Mariners that are the team can come back late in games.

What I have seen in all three games is that the Mariners can take an early lead. I saw that not happen very often last year. Also they can rebound if the other team comes back and takes a lead. Another thing that did not happen very often last year for the Mariners; most of all they are getting more batters on base so even if they leave runners on base at the same rate as last season they likely will score more runs.

If it were not for the two errors in the opening game the Mariners would be 3-0. Whether they stay on this course or not things do look a lot better for this season over last years.

What I see right now and I could be wrong is the Mariners likely will not go on long losing streaks. If they do the possibility of a long win streak is possible to. Last year we heard Lloyd McClendon say several times that they would turn things around and go on a long win streak which never happened at all. I think if I remember they may have won four or five in a row and then turn around and lose the same amount. Though it is early I don’t think it will happen this year. Why do I think this way the culture is in the process of changing. Both Dipoto and Servais have both talked about change of culture and I believe the players have bought into it. The Mariners have turned over the roster where almost half of the team is different so the new members don’t know the old culture.

So far the bullpen is doing well and in the three games has not given up a run. I am sure the relievers won’t continue at this rate however it does look like it is an improvement over last years. I am sure if you looked at how the bullpen performed in the first three games last year they were not doing very well. Another thing is I am sure the relievers are more confident. I know if I were in the bullpen my confidence would be that I can do well. They are going against a team that is a good hitting team in the Rangers. It will be nice to revisit this in another week after they face the A’s and the Rangers at home. So Mariners we like what we see except the fifth inning in the first game. Go Mariners!