New Series for Mariners

                                            Unfailing of Griffey's Statue

We all know that the series against the Houston Astros didn’t end well. The Mariners were up early 5-0 and then ended losing 10-5. It all unraveled in the fourth inning when Gallardo starting walking batters. Most of us knew all he had to do is be aggressive and throw the ball over the plate which he couldn’t do. When he left the game the Mariners were still ahead 5-4 so all they need was the bullpen to do their job which they couldn’t do obviously.

The road series where the Mariners went 1-6 the problem had to do with the hitting until the last game against the Angels where the Mariners were leading 9-3 heading into the ninth inning but Casey Fien and closer Edwin Diaz had a hard time finishing off the game. The Angels scored seven runs in the ninth to beat the Mariners. This started to be the downfall for the bullpen. Fien has been out righted to Tacoma and the Mariners brought up another right handed reliever Evan Marshall who they picked up on waivers from the Arizona Diamondbacks.  There could be some additional changes to the bullpen especially with Tony Zych ready to come off the disabled list. General Manager Jerry Dipoto is well aware that the bullpen must do a better job really soon along with the hitters especially guys like Leonys Martin who is having a hard time getting any kind of a hit. Martin continues to struggle he may be replaced by Guillermo Heredia. Most likely Heredia will go into left field and Jarrod Dyson will shift over to center field. Actually news just came down that Zych has been activated and that Dillon Overton has been optioned to Tacoma. It looks like the Mariners don’t feel in need of a long reliever unless someone like Zych will be used in that slot. The way that Gallardo pitched against the Astros the Mariners will need some long relief. None of the relievers on the Mariners staff are shown to be any guys that might go more than two innings in a game. Also Heredia is in the starting lineup leading off playing in left field while Dyson is in center. The Mariners are facing lefty Martin Perez. Not a big surprise.

Friday night is a big night. Not only is Felix starting the unfailing of Ken Griffey Jr’s statue. Over forty-three thousand fans will get a replica of the statue which means almost everyone who comes into the game. Since the game will likely be a sell-out it would be nice if Felix can pitch well along with the offense coming alive. The Texas Rangers who the Mariners are facing have been struggling as well. They are a couple wins ahead of the Mariners at 4-5 primarily because they won their last two games. We hope that the Mariners can win at least two of the three games starting off with Friday’s game. If the Mariners can do that against the Rangers well as Miami Marlins than the Mariners record will be 6-10 going out on the next road trip. Not a great record that is for sure however still better than 2-8 where they are right now. We have to keep the faith that the Mariners can change the course they are on right now. Go M’s.