Another Big Weekend in Seattle Sports

It all begins with the Seattle Mariners taking on the Houston Astros in a big series at Safeco Field. The Mariners have won eight games in a row and are still looking in at the wild card for the playoffs. For most years since 2001 Seattle fans have looked at the Seahawks when September arrives however this is a year the Mariners can make it interesting whether they get into the playoffs or not. They have sixteen games remaining in the season with six of them against the Astros who are looking toward the wild card as well though they are behind the Mariners at this point. The Mariners have had trouble this season when playing the Astros however they had the same problem when they were home against the Texas Rangers two weeks ago and went ahead won three out of four games against them at Safeco Field. Right now the Mariners have won eight games in a row so they may not be the same team we have seen over the course of the season where they win five games in a row and then lose five games in a row. One of the big differences is that the Mariners starting pitching has been marvelous in these eight games and allowing less than two runs a game along with the fact the offense has been rolling along being the best in baseball for the month of September scoring more than seven runs a game. The players have the confidence and are excited to be in the baseball race. They enjoy coming to the park as well which isn’t a surprise because when you win you have fun too. After the Astros the Mariners will play the Toronto Blue Jays for three games in Safeco. They are another team in the chase for the wild card. These two series can be playoff type of games especially with Blue Jay fans coming down from Vancouver B.C. We hope that the Mariner fans will match if not have more on hand than the Blue Jay fans.

Now to football the Seahawks will be going to Los Angeles for the first time in over twenty years to take on the Rams. Last weekend when the Seahawks barely beat the Miami Dolphins 12-10 the Rams were beaten badly by the San Francisco 49ers 28-0. The Rams always seem to play the Seahawks very tough each time they play so at this point no one knows how this game will play out. It is important that the Seahawks win this game since it is a division rivalry. For the Seahawks their success in the playoffs has always been having the home field advantage. Losing the game is not the end of it all however winning will show us all where the Seahawks are at and where the Rams are at the same time. Also at the same time Russell Wilson will be coming into a game where he has not been before having a sprained ankle. How mobile he will be we will find out and I am sure the Rams will try to put pressure on him too. How successful Russell and the Seahawks will depend on well the offense runs the ball. Thomas Rawls is expected to start the game at running back. If he can run over four yards a carry than the Seahawks should win. The offensive line can’t let the Rams defensive front get to Wilson. This will be important early season game not only to win but to keep Wilson healthy. The Seahawks can’t afford to lose him during the game for a period of time.

The University of Washington Huskies takes on Portland State on Saturday in Seattle in the last of non-league games to get ready for the Pac-12 season. The Huskies should win the game again pretty handily. The Huskies passing game has been excellent in their first two games and we should see more that this weekend. We hope that the rushing game will come alive too. For the Huskies to be successful in the Pac-12 they will need to have a good rushing attack. The defense has been playing good all season and it should be the strength of the team during the whole season. Right now the Huskies are ranked 8^th in the nation but is not very meaningful until at least the middle of October after playing several games in conference.

Though they have had a poor season this year the Seattle Sounders take on rival Vancouver White Caps at home on Saturday. Again another big crowd is expected. The chances are not great they will make the playoffs in the MSL it would be nice if they can beat the White Caps.

Across the state the Washington State Cougars take on Idaho who the Huskies handled pretty easy last week. The Cougars have lost their first two games so it is important that they win this one going into the Pac-12. The Cougars offense has looked good in general but the defense has a lot to do to get better. The biggest problem the offense has been the time management at the end of the games. Both games were close so the Cougars have to be sure they are able to run plays in a timely manner at the end. Whether this week’s game is close or not they need to practice it at the end of the game so they will be in a good place when league starts. The Cougars do have next week off before starting league action.

So we hope that all five teams will win their games this weekend. It will be real exciting if they do. It will be nice to root on the Mariners the rest of the season along with football. Go teams!!!