When The Offense Cools, The Mariners Will Stay Hot

Having some offense goes a long way in baseball. If that statement isn’t obvious enough the Mariners play in the last week is a good example. In their last seven games the Mariners have averaged over 5 runs per game for a run differential of +24. Outscoring your opponents by 24 runs in just seven games translates to wins and the Mariners are 5-2 in that time.

Truth be told the Mariners don’t even need that much offense with the way their pitching has been recently and all year really. With starters like Felix Hernandez and Hisashi Iwakuma leading way and the top bullpen in the league the team only needs a little bump.

The two games the Mariners lost in their last seven had scores of 1-0 and 2-1, classic Mariners’ losses. Maybe you could have asked the pitchers to produce runs as well as they prevented them, but that seems a little unreasonable.

I’ve been enjoying this Dustin Ackley hot streak so much as someone who still sort of believes he has a chance at being a consistent hitter. I know not to get too excited but even when the inevitable happens and Dustin cools down, I believe the offense will still produce at an above average rate.

The new additions still haven’t really shown their true value yet. Kendrys Morales has not been the hitter he was a year ago but Lloyd McClendon still has been hitting him in the clean up role. While I disagree with the placement at the moment you have to believe that he will turn it around.

Austin Jackson has not been bad since joining the team but has yet to record an extra base hit. While I’m not expecting All-Star like numbers from him I think he will get hot and provide even more spark atop this order.

In the last week the Mariners are fifth in runs scored. While I don’t believe they can keep that sort of production going I do believe they will come close. So even when the hot hitters of this week like Ackley come back down to Earth others will be there to pick them up.

Also, we can’t forget that reinforcements are on the way with Michael Saunders rehabbing.