Seattle Mariners: Finally Looking And Playing Like A Team

May 12, 2014; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Mariners first baseman Justin Smoak (17) returns to the dugout after hitting a two-run home run against the Tampa Bay Rays during the eighth inning at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

This baseball team that’s playing in Seattle isn’t playing the like the Mariners we know. They are not in 4th or last place, they are hitting well, the pitching has been great, and they are above .500!!! WHO IS THIS TEAM?!

It’s the Seattle Mariners alright but an all new Seattle Mariners. This Mariners team since ending their 8 game losing streak are 13-5 and have been one of the hottest teams in the majors.

The Mariners have had help from many of their players, which many of them have gotten on a hot streak as well. Kyle Seager ended the losing streak with two home runs and since then he’s remained hot.

Michael Saunders had done well in the leadoff role, Stefen Romero has been getting better and better, and James Jones has not just secured his probable future in Seattle but the end of Abraham Almonte as well.

Pitching wise Felix finally ended his winless streak last night. Hisashi Iwakuma is back and has been lights out, Fernando Rodney has finally stopped giving us high blood pressure when he’s brought in, and the bullpen is somewhat doing well.

Either way this Mariners team is showing us that they could possibly be a contender this season. Remember that movie Major League? Well, picture the M’s as that team, a bunch of nobodies who want to prove themselves worthy of a division title and prove themselves to their fans that they are a good team.

May 12, 2014; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Mariners second baseman Robinson Cano (22) is greeted by catcher John Buch (4) after hitting an RBI-sacrifice fly during the second inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

With how well the Mariners have been playing you have to wonder what are they really capable of? Well, for one thing they are capable of a possible division title run but right now I think myself and the fans are focused on the American League Wild Card.

The M’s are sole possession of the Wild Card lead. They are +0.5 game up on the Boston Red Sox, Los Angeles Angels, New York Yankees, and the Texas Rangers. Now I know its still very early but God do I love seeing the Mariners in first place of anything!

The only thing the Mariners need to improve on is their bullpen. Right now the only good pitchers in the bullpen are Dominic Leone, Danny Farquhar, Joe Beimel, and Rodney.

Yoervis Medina and Charlie Furbush are big problems for the M’s. Both Charlie and Medina have ERA’s above 4 and they remind me of those “Fernando Rodney roller coaster innings”, in other words they tick me off, they have problems locating their pitches, they give up too many hits, and they raise my blood pressure too high.

I think the M’s really should think about calling up a couple guys from Tacoma to fill Furbush’s and Medina’s spot in the bullpen. Stephen Pryor, Carson Smith, and Logan Bawcom are possible candidates for those spots in the bullpen.

But again this team is a whole lot different from any M’s team in the past 5 years. This team has something that the 2009 Mariners had when Jr returned……..great chemistry. Chemistry has been the biggest key to the Mariners success so far.

Robinson Cano has been a great contributor as well, he’s provided that veteran All-Star role in the lineup that has helped this team become a team that is playing together and with a purpose too.

We can only hope that the Mariners continue this hot streak and continue to play as a whole unit. If they do that they will emerge at the end of the regular season as either Wild Card or AL West Champions.