Mariners Look to Sweep White Sox

 

 

Saturday night the Mariners beat the White Sox in Chicago 4-3 to take the series for the first time in ten years. Now the Mariners will look to sweep the Sox.  The Mariners are hoping that Andrew Moore will have his fourth quality start in a row since being recalled. The problem is that the Mariners will face left handed starter Derek Holland who has had a really good record against the Mariners. He beat them in Seattle earlier in the season and I found on line that in his career through 2015 he had a total record of 10-2 against the Mariners. We hope that the odds will go in the favor of the Mariners. If so the Mariners will then be one game below 500 at 46-47. They currently are in third place in the AL western division one game behind the Texas Rangers.  

 

 

 

Felix Hernandez struggled through the game on Saturday lasting only five innings. The Mariners were leading 4-3 at the time and the bullpen of Steve Cishek, Tony Zych, Nick Vincent and Edwin Diaz were able to hold the lead. Diaz had his trouble being a bit wild however he was able to close the game without giving up the tying run or allowing the White Sox win in walk-off fashion. These will be the primary relievers when the Mariners go to the bullpen when they are leading going into the sixth or seventh inning or later. Nick Vincent has been the shot down reliever in the eighth inning and he looks like he will stay there for the time being depending on how many days in a row he has to pitch. Of course the Mariners two lefty specialists will see some action against tough lefties in those innings as well. Right now Yovani Gallardo and Emilio Pagan will see action primarily when the Mariners are behind in games. Both can pitch at least two innings in a game and close out if necessary. We hope that they can pitch well enough where the Mariners can get back ahead. So far they look well in that role. Manager Scott Servais sees these roles so that the bullpen will not be overworked.

Monday the Mariners will begin a three game series in Houston against the Astros. It will be tough the way that the Astros have been playing and almost have the division sewn up however we remember 1995 when the Mariners came back and caught the Angels. The odds of that happening aren’t good but you never know have to keep the faith however they are able to go for the wildcards.

Mitch Haniger hurt his finger while trying to bunt late in the game so he will be out for a few days. Sunday’s game Taylor Motter is in left field while Guillermo Heredia is in center field. I expect that Heredia will be the left fielder against righties with Haniger out however Boog Powell may play in a game as well. Mike Zunino having the day off Saturday will be back at catcher on Sunday. We hope that he can get back on another hitting streak to finish off July.

In Houston the Mariners will start Ariel Miranda on Monday and most likely Sam Gaviglio on Tuesday. The Mariners will have to make a roster spot open for activating Gaviglio who was sent down to Tacoma during the all-star break. At this point I would say that Boog Powell the likely one to be sent down however the Mariners could send down Pagan as well however I think they like what they see in him. If they do send Pagan down they may have to bring up another reliever if the bullpen pitches too much. So go ahead and continue on a good road trip Mariners!