2018 Seattle Mariners Report Card Just Past the Half Way Mark

The Seattle Mariners are past the halfway mark of the 2018 with a record of 54-31. They are a half-game behind the Houston Astros who were swept by  Tampa Bay Rays over the weekend like the Mariners did to the Kansas City Royals.

So now I am doing my report card for the halfway mark though they have played eighty-five games. The Mariners being twenty-three games above five hundred which I expect is a surprise to everyone I have to give the team a grade of A at this point. I now will give a breakdown of each position along with the pitching.

I start off with the starting pitching. I do have to give them a grade of an A for no other reason is that four of the five starters have eight victories on the season. That could leave the Mariners with the four having ten wins at the all-star break. If one of the four is on the all-star team it would be James Paxton. On Sunday when Paxton shutout the Kansas City Royals pitching eight innings now  has a record of 8-2 with an era of 3.39. Mike Leake will have to follow up with being the number two pitcher so far on the season with a record of 8-4 with an era of 4.01. He did struggle for a short period however has been outstanding as of late. Marco Gonzales who has to be the third rated pitcher on the staff has to be biggest surprise as well. In his last outing he went the distance and gave up only one run which happened in the ninth inning. Wade LeBlanc who started the season in the bullpen has to be the second surprise now having started eleven games has a record of 3-0 with an era of 3.38. He could continue to be a key in the rotation in the second half of the season. The most disappointing has to be Felix Hernandez who used to be the ace of the team. His injuries the last couple years have moved him down to be either the fourth or fifth starter. He does have eight wins to go along with six losses isn’t bad for someone with an era of 5.11. His biggest issue has been pitching in the first inning. For example in his last outing on Saturday the Royals scored three runs in the first inning fortunately the Mariners also scored three runs in the first inning. It has been his biggest trouble all season long.

The Mariners are looking to extend the rotation to six starters in the second half to keep the starters in good shape. James Paxton who currently has pitched one hundred, eleven and two-thirds innings likely will continue pitching every five days depending on who the team is facing along with how successful they continue to win. Mike Leake will probably do the same though he is second in innings pitched to Paxton. As of late he has been pitching effortlessly. Gonzales, LeBlanc and Felix are the three that will be affected with adding another pitcher in the rotation. The pitcher could be Roenis Elias who the Mariners reacquired from the Boston Red Sox in late April and was recalled on June 1 or the other possibility would be someone the Mariners acquire before the trading deadline.

Now a look at the bullpen for the Mariners; this will be harder to judge because of who has pitched in the bullpen. Overall I have to give the bullpen a B. I have to begin with closer Edwin Diaz after Sunday’s game has thirty-two saves in thirty-five opportunities with an era of 2.45. In forty-four innings he has seventy-one strike outs compared to thirteen walks. Also he has only given up twelve hits with two of them being home runs. I have to say you can’t be more spectacular than that and should be on the All-Star team. I would have to give him a grade of A plus.

James Pazos has to be the second best pitcher in the bullpen having a record of 2-1 with an era of 1.84 in thirty-four games. He has walked only four batters and struck out twenty-seven. I give him a grade of A. He took over the number one lefty specialist in the bullpen when the Mariners released Marc Rzepczynski on June 6. He had an era of 9.39 in eighteen games walking nine batters. He gave up thirteen hits as well over seven and two-thirds innings. His role was to get the tough left handed hitter of the opposing team which he wasn’t doing well. I give him a grade of D minus and I am sure that general manager is looking for another lefty to go with Pazos. Elias can be used in that role to if necessary though the Mariners are using him as a long reliever primarily at this point.

The next pitcher I put in line because he probably is the biggest surprise in the bullpen is Chase Bradford. His role starting out was being the first reliever coming out of the bullpen but has pitched in some important times since. He has a record of 5-0 with an era of 2.81 pitching in twenty-eight games and going thirty-two innings. He has only given up seven walks and has struck out twenty-six batters. I give him a grade of A minus since he didn’t start the season with the Mariners. He was recalled from Tacoma on April 9.

Nick Vincent, Juan Nicasio and Alex Colome the Mariners acquired from Tampa Bay along with Denard Span have been a disappoint though they have had their moments as well. As a unit I would give them a grade of C plus. They pitch up to what they are capable of in the second half of the season they can land the Mariners in the playoffs. It is possible the Mariners could go after another reliever that will work with that trio. The other pitchers that have worked out of the Mariner bullpen I would give them a grade of C.

Next report I will look at the position players. Go M’s.

Seahawks News and More

 

Sunday the news came out that most Seahawks fans expected and that is  the retirement of Kam Chancellor who had a neck injury at the end of the season. Thanks Kam for giving us the 12th man eight exciting seasons.

 

 

This means now that the Seahawks defense will be looking even more different going into the 2018 season than last season. Bobby Wagner and K.J. Wright will be the backbone of the defense. At this point we have no idea whether Earl Thomas will return or not. He said that he would sit out for now without signing a new contract. He still has a year remaining on his current contract.  Frank Clark has one year remaining on his contract as well. Haven't heard anything from him what he plans to do or what the Seahawks are planning as well. One thing we do know for sure is that we will have to look at a guide to see who these new players are this season. We do know that some of the young players will be as familiar in a few years like the guys we have all come to know.

 

 

Today the Seattle Mariners shut out the Kansas City 1-0 behind the pitching of James Paxton who went eight innings and Edwin Diaz who nailed down another save. This now makes the Mariners a half game behind the Houston Astros who were beaten by the Tampa Bays 3-2. Just like the Mariners sweeping the Royals over the weekend the Rays did the same to the Astros. Those who doubted that the Mariners would be in the race for the American League West they are in it. The Mariners will have an off day on Monday than have a three game series against the Los Angeles Angels at Safeco Field. It would be nice if the Mariners could sweep the Angels again like last time they came to town. This would make the Mariners sweeping a third series in a row and win ten games in a row at the same time. The Astros will be facing at the Texas Rangers at the same time. Who knows the Mariners could be in first place once again after the Angels series.

 

 

With an off day on Monday I will be starting to write my report card for the first half of the season. Give you a heads up being twenty-three games above five hundred the team grade will be an A. I know that none of us including the Mariners themselves expected to be where they are at right now.  I will go through the rest of the grading position by position. Second base is interested with the suspension of Robinson Cano and Dee Gordon being moved back from center field. So the first half will have to include both positions for sure.

 

So until next time. We look forward to hear about Kam Chancellor's future and go Seahawks and Mariners. Oh yes training camp for the Seahawk will begin on July 26. Wouldn't it be nice if the Mariners have a solid lead in the American League West at the same time. Also would be nice to have a meaningful October for the Mariners along with the Seahawks for a change. 

Good Job Gonzales

After having trouble pitching in New York and Boston Marco Gonzales returning home to Safeco Field facing the Kansas City Royals pitched a complete game for the Mariners on Friday Night.

Gonzales was pitching a shutout going into the ninth inning throwing fewer than one hundred pitches. The Mariners were leading 4-0 however he gave up a single that scored a runner from second base then the next batter hit a grounder to Jean Segura to end the game.

The nine innings Gonzales threw ninety-six pitches giving up six hits and striking out seven batters. His control was so good that he didn’t walk a batter at all. In his seventeen starts going one hundred and a third innings he has only walked twenty batters and giving up ten home runs. I believe he has to be the biggest surprise in the Mariners rotation and tied with Mike Leake with being the most productive pitcher outside of James Paxton. Gonzales and Leake are tied with the most wins with eight while he has five losses comparted to Leake’s four.

Felix Hernandez who goes for the Mariners Saturday night has been the least productive pitcher of the three in the rotation and he has a record of 7-6. If Felix wins then he will tie Leake and Gonzales with wins. Right now Felix has an era of 5.10 primarily because he has had trouble getting started in the first inning. He continues like he has in his last couple outings he has a great chance of winning.

Gonzales going the distances allows the Mariners to rest most of their bullpen the last couple of games including Edwin Diaz. We should see him in the game Saturday if the game is close. The Mariners are hoping that Felix can go six innings giving up three runs or fewer. The Mariners are now up again twenty-one games over five hundred at 52-21.

The Mariners scored their first two runs in the fourth inning on a home run by Mitch Haniger with a runner on base and then Mike Zunino hit a mammoth home run in the fifth inning to make it 3-0 at the time. Haniger had his seventeenth home run while Zunino his twelve of the season. Haniger still leads the team in runs batted in with sixty-one. He is turning into a superstar right in front of us. He deserves to be in the All-Star game along with Jean Segura and Edwin Diaz. You could add Nelson Cruz to that mix as well. You would think Paxton would deserve it to if he wins his next three starts giving him ten wins. The Mariners could have at least three starters with ten if not four. Wade LeBlanc who has pitched well as the fifth starter since being inserted into the rotation has a record of 3-0 with an era of 3.38 in sixteen games with eleven being starts. The starting pitching has to be the main reason that the Mariners have the record of 52-31. Outside of Edwin Diaz who has thirty saves in thirty-three opportunities the bullpen has struggled at times. The only other consistent reliever has been lefty James Pazos who has an era of 1.91 in thirty-three games. Now as the primary lefty he should see more action in the second half unless the Mariners pick up a veteran lefty reliever. We hope that Nick Vincent, Juan Nicasio and Alex Colome can pick things up in the second half. If so the Mariners should find making into the playoffs with ease. The Mariners win half of their remaining games will be around the ninety win mark. Go M’s.

Mariners Sweep in Extra Innings

The Seattle Mariners continue to do what they seem has done all season long and that is winning close games with some in extra innings.

Thursday afternoon the game against the Orioles was another tight one. The game was scoreless until the fourth inning when Nelson Cruz hit a two-run homer on his return to the lineup after being out with a back injury. The Orioles returned the favor when Machado and Davis each hit solo home runs in the bottom of the fourth to tie 2-2. The game stayed tied into extra innings.

The Mariners made the extra innings not last long scoring two runs in the tenth inning. Dee Gordon reached base on a single then scored on a single by Jean Segura that was bobbled in center field. Gordon himself surprised kept on going when he got the sign from third base coach Scott Brosius.  Segura scored on a hit by Nelson Cruz and then Juan Nicasio came in recorded his first save of the season. You may ask what about Edwin Diaz. Well he had the day off after pitching three straight days. Manager Scott Servais feels that Diaz does his best work when given a day off after pitching three straight days. I am sure he will be back in action Friday night in Seattle if he is needed.

James Pazos was given the win since he pitched the ninth inning. He came in after Nick Vincent pitched the eighth inning after relieving Mike Leake who went for seven innings. Leake gave up five hits including the two home runs in the fourth inning. He walked one batter and struck out six batters. Outside of the two home runs he pitched another outstanding game. You could see he was in control the whole game or at least before and after the fourth inning.

The Mariners now come home for a three game series against the Kansas City Royals who are another team that is struggling this season. They have a record of 25-55 dead last in the American League central division and have won only three games in the last ten games. Like the Orioles they are ripping for the picking. The Mariners who have played well at home with a record of 25-14 should continue the success.

The Mariners have Marco Gonzales going Friday night against Ian Kennedy who has a record of 1-7 with an era of 5.09. Gonzales should be able to get back to his pitching now that he is back in Safeco Field. He did pitch well outside of a couple innings in Fenway Park after having a hard time at Yankee Stadium. He will be followed by Felix Hernandez and James Paxton on Saturday and Sunday. The Mariners have a good chance of sweeping this series too especially if Gonzales does well, Hernandez and Paxton pitch like they did against the Orioles.  

The Mariners will face the Los Angeles Angels Tuesday thru Thursday in a three game series followed by the Colorado Rockies next weekend then they go to Los Angeles and Colorado to face both teams again. These next nine games at home should be exciting to see. Go M’s.

Mariners Continue Close Wins in Baltimore

After beating the Orioles 5-3 in a close game the Mariners went back winning one run games on Tuesday and Wednesday. Tuesday night it was a low scoring game where the Mariners won 3-2 and then a high scoring game on Wednesday night 8-7 in eleven innings. The Mariners now have won twenty-two one run games. It does show the difference over the last several years where they lost a lot of one run games. You could say that they have become mentally tough. Along with the one run games the Mariners have come from behind in many of the games as well.

Tuesday night’s game the Orioles score first in the second inning and then Kyle Seager hit a solo home run to tie the game in the fourth inning. The Orioles took the lead again in the sixth inning however Seager hit a single in the eighth inning to score two runs.

Wednesday night in the eighth inning with the Mariners ahead 5-4 Chris Davis hit a three-run homer that looked like it would take the Mariners down 7-5 Kyle Seager hit a two-run homer in the top of the ninth to tie the game 7-7. In the eleventh inning after it looked like Jean Segura hurt his back he hit a double. With one out Segura now on third base Denard Span hit a sacrifice fly to center field to score the go ahead run. Edwin Diaz came in to get his thirtieth save of the season at the half way mark. He did give up a single but did strike out two batters.

The Mariners and Orioles have a day game on Thursday to end the four game series. It starts at noon Seattle time. Mike Leake will go for his ninth win of the season for the Mariners. He pitches anything like he did on his last outing where he shutout the Red Sox through eight innings in the Mariners only win in Boston. The Mariners now have won fifty games through eight-one games so do the same the second half they will go away with one hundred wins. Even if they go one game under five hundred at 40-41 they will end the season with ninety wins which should get them in the playoffs. Go M’s.

The Lineup Difference

Jean Segura was back in the lineup on Monday night after being out of action for four games. He didn’t get any hits though he walked a couple times and didn’t score any runs however he did make a couple outstanding plays in the field that helped lift up the team.

A player that is in the status of Segura comes back it really helps out the team. Dee Gordon mentioned that after the game.

Felix Hernandez had another good outing going six innings and giving up three runs on four hits. The Mariners did take an early lead scoring two runs in the second inning. Felix did struggle a bit in the early innings walking three batters fortunately he bared down not to give up any runs. The Orioles first run came in the fifth inning when second baseman Jonathan Schoop hit a solo home run. The Orioles tied the score 3-3 getting two runs off of Felix however the Mariners made good when Guillermo Heredia walked to load the bases followed by a single by Dee Gordon to drive in the final two runs in the seventh inning.

The Mariners’ bullpen took over in the seventh inning with James Pazos then Alex Colome and finished up with Edwin Diaz getting his twenty-eighth save. No hits were compiled by those three; Colome and Diaz both struck out two batters.

It will help out if Felix can continue to pitch six innings in the same fashion giving up three runs or less. Tuesday the Mariners will have James Paxton on the mound. We hope that he can get back to his ace pitching after having a couple poor performances. Again if he can go at least six inning keeping the game close than the Mariners have another great chance in winning.

The Angels lost on Monday night so the Mariners are now three and half games behind. The Angels lost as well so they now tied with the Oakland A’s both being ten and half games behind the Astros or seven games behind the Mariners. The schedule the Mariners will be playing now after the tough series against the Yankees and Red Sox it will be hard for those others to catch up unless the Mariners totally fall on their faces.

Although the Mariners could use another starter in the rotation the trouble with the bullpen in the last two series the Mariners might go after another reliever as well. Nick Vincent is back off the disabled list along with Juan Nicasio. Both of them struggling getting another reliever wouldn’t be bad. The Mariners may look at picking up a lefty to team with Pazos. We know whatever the case Dipoto can do something to improve the Mariners.  Go M’s.

Moving On To Baltimore

On Sunday the Seattle Mariners lost to the New York Yankees 5-0. Right now the Mariners are 1-5 on the current road trip. They could have won a game in New York while winning another in Boston. They had leads that got away including the one they were leading 10-5 against the Red Sox then lost 14-10. If they can sweep the Orioles that will give them a 5-5 for the road trip which I am sure most of us would jump up and down on though be better with at least one or two wins heading into Baltimore.

Sunday’s game the score was 0-0 going into the fifth inning. Marco Gonzales struggled once again in the fifth and the sixth inning. It was lower part of the lineup that allowed the Sox to score three runs in the fifth and then first baseman Mitch Moreland hit a two-run homer in the sixth inning to put the game out of reach.

Red Sox Ace Chris Sale dominated the Mariners going seven inning giving up four hits and striking out thirteen Mariner batters. He walked only one batter and lowered his era to 2.56. Not an easy thing to do go out and beat the ace of a team though the Mariners have done so on several occasions.

Casen Bradford and Nick Vincent each pitched an inning for the Mariners to keep the bullpen rested.

News came out that Nelson Cruz was American League player of the week. A lot of that had to do with him hitting two home runs, a single and driving in seven runs in the game that looked like they would win before blowing the 10-5 lead. He hit well against the Yankees as well. Cruz spent a year in Baltimore before coming to Seattle so we hope that he continues his hot hitting there as well.

Jean Segura will be back in the lineup Monday against the Orioles. The Mariners lineup will look like normal except that Chris Herrmann will be at catcher and batting eighth just ahead of Guillermo Heredia. If you are wondering about Mike Zunino he struck out three times on Sunday after having Saturday off. I am sure the Mariners have him working on his swing.

Felix Hernandez takes the mound on Monday against the Orioles. If he pitches anything like he did in New York the Mariners should win the game. The rest of the series will be James Paxton on Tuesday followed by Wade LeBlanc and Mike Leake. This shows that the Mariners have a pretty good chance winning all four games though winning three would be OK as well. We hope that the starters can go six innings so the bullpen continues to have rest. We hope that they get back to normal after pitching poorly against the Yankees and Red Sox. Andrew Cashner goes for the Orioles Monday and he has a record of 2-8 with an era of 4.72 so a good sign for the Mariners. It is important that they get to him early and we hope that Felix will be able to go six innings at least. Go M’s.