Thursday is an off-day for the Mariners as they travel to
Arlington, Texas to take on the Texas Rangers for the last three games of the
season on the road.
The Mariners took this series beating the Astros 9-0 on
Wednesday after being shut out on Tuesday.
Since the Mariners were swept by the Padres to basically
eliminate them from the race though not technically they have hit well against
both the Angels where they beat them three out of four games before coming to
Houston to win another series. It wouldn’t surprise me if they win two out of
three against the Rangers or even sweep them.
Kyle Seager who has had a poor season most of the year has
come alive recently. Yes he has had twenty-two home runs however this second
half his defense hasn’t been that good either though he has made some
outstanding plays. We can see that he has struck out quite a few times and
missing balls at the plate as well. He has won a few games for the Mariners but
hasn’t been there when they needed him. Stats can be misleading as well since
he has hovered around .220 or less all season.
The Mariners started reliever Matt Festa who pitched most of
the season with Double A Arkansas. He was the Mariners 7th round
pick in 2016.He went only the first inning before being replaced by Casey
Lawrence who went three innings and recorded the victory. He was the only
pitcher went more than one inning. Festa was able to get out Springer, Altuva
and Bregman. Springer was the only one to get a hit among the three. Lawrence pitching in nine games this is
probably his best outing. He gave up one hit, two walks and struck out a
batter.
Besides Festa and Lawrence the Mariners went with five other
relievers giving up five hits all singles. Lawrence was followed Adam Warren
giving up two the hits then Shawn Armstrong having a fantastic September giving
up a hit and a walk. In 10 games he has given up five hits along with the one
walk in this game and 10 strike outs. I would say he has a good chance of being
in the Mariners’ bullpen next spring. Zack Duke, Justin Grimm and Roenis Elias
finished the game off. Duke gave up the fifth and final sing of the game. The
way this happen we might see more of an all reliever game.
Robinson Cano continue adding to his career doubles total
with two of his three hits in the game. He scored two runs while driving in
three. Kyle Seager who recently has decide to hit had a solo home run along
with Mitch Haniger and Guillermo Heredia each having one. Haniger continues to
raise his stock being one of the few Mariners having a good season. Dee Gordon,
Ryon Healy and Mike Zunino were the only starters not to get a hit in the game.
Zunino struck out three times.
Erasmo Ramirez will start Friday night’s game against the
Ranger. In his last outing he was only
able to go four innings where he gave up four runs with three home runs. The
first two were in the first inning back to by Mike Trout and Ohtani. Playing in Arlington Ramirez will have to be
careful since it is a home run park. The Mariners will be facing Connor Sadzeck
who will be making his second start this year and his major league career. He
has primarily been a reliever so the Rangers likely will do as the Mariners did
against the Astros Wednesday night going with reliever. Marco Gonzales will go
for the Mariners on Saturday night followed by Wade LeBlanc on Sunday
afternoon. There was thought that Felix Hernandez might start in that game. Sounds
like if can go Felix won’t start until the Mariners get home. Right now not
sure when James Paxton will start a game but likely will be one of the final
seven games at home.
The Mariners would have to win seven of the remaining ten games to tie the A’s without them winning a single game. The odds
aren’t good are they? That would give the Mariners 91 wins on the season. For the Mariners get to 90 wins they have to
go 6-4 which is possible since they are playing seven of the ten remaining
games against the Rangers.
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