Mariners Come Home

The Mariners now come home to play a weekend series against the Oakland A’s for three games and four against the Houston Astros. They started the season winning two out of three against the Cleveland Indians before going on the road winning four games and losing three. They now have a record of 6-4 which is much better than the 2-8 record they had last year after ten games.

It has been good news because they started the season without two starting position players in Ben Gamel and Mike Zunino. They lost Nelson Cruz in the second game in the opening series and then Ryon Healy went down after helping them win last Saturday in Minnesota. They split the series beginning the road trip in San Francisco against the Giants. Marco Gonzales pitched a good game however Felix Hernandez threw a terrible game where his fast ball was straight and he didn’t make it out of the fourth inning. At least he rebounded in Kansas City looking like the pitcher we hope for. We will have to see how Felix does the rest of the way. For the Mariners to have a successful season and make the playoffs he needs to be more the pitcher on opening day and in Kansas City then the one in San Francisco.

Kyle Seager seems to come out of his funk hitting a two-run homer in the eighth inning that lead the Mariners to the win on Wednesday to take the series in Kanas City two out of three. The Royals are not that good of a team this year losing several players to free agency so the Mariner doing what they did in Kansas City is a good sign.

The Mariners are expecting to have Ben Gamel back on Friday against the Oakland A’s. He had been on rehab assignment both in Modesto and for the Tacoma Rainiers. He should be then platooning in left field with Guillermo Heredia who has hit two home runs already this season and is playing normal good defense. What role does Ichiro play it is hard to say right now? How long will he be on the team going forward?

The Mariners have nine pitchers right now in the bullpen so when Gamel is activated someone will have to go. Chasen Bradford who was brought up from Tacoma when Ryon Healy went on the disabled list could go back however he pitched well in his only outing for the Mariners.

The Mariners could activate Nelson Cruz on Friday as well if they feel he is well enough to perform. They could wait until Saturday or Sunday too. In this case one of the utility players either Taylor Motter or Andrew Romine could be gone. Motter would return to Tacoma while Romine would be designated for assignment. Motter seems to play first base better than Romine and with Healy out the Mariners have Vogelbach playing first base however there is still a question how well he plays the position.

Right now not sure when Mike Zunino will be activated he could go on a rehab assignment for a few games while the Mariners decide to send down to Tacoma regarding the two backup catchers. Both have done a solid job behind the plate but both are not hitting that well.

James Paxton held his own on Wednesday against the Royals going six innings giving up six hits and one walk along with two walks. He struck out ten batters on one hundred and two pitches. It would be nice if he could lower the pitch count so he could go seven innings instead.  Nick Vincent pitched a solid seventh inning throwing only six pitches so with Thursday being an off day he should be set to go on Friday as well. Juan Nicasio pitched eighth inning got his fifth hold however he still struggled giving up a hit and a walk before getting out of the inning. Also he threw twenty-one pitches that inning and the Mariners need him throw less pitches in an inning. Edwin Diaz got his fourth save in four opportunities having another outstanding outing. The way he has been throwing the Mariners will be tough to beat leading going into the ninth inning.

The seven game home stand coming up I would find it successful if the Mariners win two out of three against the Oakland A’s and split the four game series against the Houston Astros. That would leave the Mariners with a record of 10-7 going on the next road trip. Beating Oakland all three games would be an added plus. Going 2-2 against the Astros would keep it even right now.

Mike Leake will start in the first game against the Oakland A’s followed by Marco Gonzales and Felix Hernandez. The Mariners will bring up the fifth starter to go in the series against the Astros. Ariel Miranda is expected to be the fifth starter though Erasmo Ramirez could be available depending on how they see him pitching on his rehab assignment. 

Last year the Mariners started out on the road with a good road record but terrible at home. This home stand will give us a better idea how they will do this season at home. The key again is how well the bullpen will work when the Mariners are either ahead or tied. This season looks like the Mariners will be playing in a lot of close games. The top of the lineup keeps doing well on offense so what we have to see where the bottom third works out. So far they haven’t done that well but the return of Gamel and the Zunino will help a lot. Go M’s.