Mariner Pitching Or Lack of It

The Seattle Mariner pitching not going well in the series against the Texas Rangers. This after a so so series against the Minnesota Twins where the Mariners split the series on the road; in that series the Mariners had two good outings and two bad ones that continued onto Texas.

The Mariners had some good pitching from the long relievers that they brought up from Tacoma that helped out the bullpen. Other words on the positive side the bullpen was not overused which could have happened easily if they hadn’t brought up those relievers. In fact those guys did so well that in most cases they went the rest of the way when entering the game. On the negative side besides losing the relievers haven’t had a lot of usage over the past week either.

On Saturday Yovani Gallardo started the game giving up five runs in the first inning which did not help the Mariners offense at all. I have to say Cano struggled in his at bats because three times he came up with at least two batters on base and was unable to drive any of them in. Also Nelson Cruz and Kyle Seager have struggled through the series as well. Not sure what Seager’s problem is but he hasn’t been doing very well as of late. Some fans think he is trying to hit too many home runs. I am not sure if that is the case however he does need to try hitting the other way. I have actually seen him having trouble on the outside pitches.

On the positive side Mike Zunino continues to carry a hot bat. I am sure the jury is still out but at this point he does look like the Mariners catcher of the future as well as the present. When he was sent down to Tacoma I thought that could be it for him. I am glad for him because he is a good guy and plays wonderful defense. He is someone the Mariners need to have. I am sure he will struggle at times however if he can hit some doubles and home runs along with keeping a descent average the Mariners will be alright. The important thing is that he doesn’t go back to his old ways again.

Saturday night Felix Hernandez had his third rehab assignment at Tacoma where he pitched another wonderful game. He looks ready to go. I expect we will see him late next week when the Mariners return home. What day he will pitch will be determined soon. It will be the answer who he will replace in the order. Will he take Gallardo’s spot or Christian Bergman’s?  I like what Sam Gaviglio is doing on the mound so he should stay in the rotation until Iwakuma returns. Speaking of him he is expected to make another rehab assignment on Monday in Tacoma.  If Gallardo is still on the roster by the end of next week I would like to see him in the bullpen doing long relief until he straightens thing out.

We will have the answers coming soon to the Mariners however it is important that they get the starting pitching back in order before they are too far out of the race.

Giving up so many runs early certainly makes it tough on the offense that is for sure. Despite the pitching sometimes and the frustration the hitting of Gamel, Haniger, Heredia and Dyson sure makes the team entertaining and willing to watch. It would be nice if all four were in the lineup at the same time.

Just heard that Felix will be pitching this coming Thursday for the Mariners in Seattle and now we hope that James Paxton can get things back in order. Let’s go M’s.