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Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
The Seattle Mariners have been playing winning baseball the past two weeks, and the players are putting up some noteworthy numbers for our Fantasy Baseball squads. The offense is starting to look consistent and the Mariners are two games out of .500, even with a makeshift starting rotation. Lloyd McClendon has been working his magic by moving the lineup around in an attempt to wake up the bats, and during this winning streak, he did just that.
Kyle Seager has finally woken up. The offense MVP of the Mariners the past two years has been struggling to start the year. Just two weeks ago Seager was hitting with a dismal .156 BA with zero home runs, and only one RBI to his name. Now fresh after just winning the offensive player of the week, we can see why it was beneficial for fantasy owners to keep him in their 3B spot
I am pretty sure Kyle Seager owns himself in his fantasy baseball league, and I’m sure he was getting sick and tired of no offensive production. Since April 22nd, he has absolutely torn the cover off the ball. He has lifted his average 81 points to a .237 BA, smashed 5 home runs, and also leads the team with 17 RBI.
Coach McClendon has taken notice to Seager’s bat, and has rewarded him by moving him higher in the lineup. We now see Kyle occasionally hitting fifth in the lineup and sometimes even cleanup to help drive in those runners in scoring position. So far it is working, and Fantasy managers who stuck with the early season struggles are being rewarded heavily by Seager’s production.
WEEKLY FANTASY PROJECTION: KYLE SEAGER
.250 BA, 1 HR, 5 RBI, 3 RUNS, 0 SB
What has happened to Felix Hernandez? We drafted him to be the ace of our fantasy baseball pitching rotation, but he has struggled to get us a win since April 11th. Here is the good news, it’s not Felix’s fault.
In each of his past four starts, King Felix has not given up more than 2 earned runs but once, still has a stammering low 2.53 ERA, and is striking out more batters than innings pitched with a total of 53Ks on the year. So what is the problem?
Apparently the Mariners offense decides to take a day off when Felix takes the bump. Only once did the offense score more than 3 runs for Felix during his past four starts, and even the bullpen felt like blowing a game or two for the team the past two weeks.
It’s been a roller coaster so far for the King, but he’s used to it. Felix will be the first player pumping his team up during any drought, and so far the rest of the rotation is picking up the slack in the win department. Expect the same great Fantasy Baseball numbers from Felix this week as he takes on the rival Oakland As. Owners are looking for that elusive Win this week, and I can see it happening against the division leaders.
WEEKLY FANTASY PROJECTION: FELIX HERNANDEZ
7 IP, 1 W, 7 K, 2.00 ERA and 1.25 WHIP
Robinson Cano is captain consistent. The Mariners knew they were getting more than just the best 2B in the game and stellar offense, they also knew he would produce that offense on a steady basis. Cano has been a machine at the plate batting with a team leading .288 BA. He’s driven in eight runs the past three series lifting his total to 16 RBI for the season.
Just like the beginning of the season, the hitters around Cano are starting to improve. Cano is seeing less walks (only two BB the past three series), but when he gets on base, players like Justin Smoak and Kyle Seager are driving him in. Cano is surprisingly second on the team with 13 runs, and that doesn’t look to change anytime soon.
Fantasy Baseball managers are typically used to a slow offensive start with owning Cano, but they aren’t seeing that this year. Yes, Cano only has one home run, but you don’t draft the best 2B in the game and expect 40 long balls on the year. Cano will hit you over .300 BA, drive you in 100 RBI, you can begin to pencil in 100 runs, and why not throw a couple Stolen Bases in there (two SB already).
Keep Robinson Cano in your lineup every day. You don’t need me to tell you that. That is why you picked him in your first round. And you never bench your first round draft pick. Below are Cano’s forecasted numbers this week.
WEEKLY FANTASY PROJECTION: ROBINSON CANO
.300 BA, 1 HR, 4 RBI, 2 RUNS, 0 SB
The Mariners have done a great job winning ball games these past two weeks. They have turned it around since their eight game losing streak, and are now looking to win their fourth series in a row with a promising victory today against the Houston Astros. Fantasy Baseball owners can enjoy the return of Hisashi Iwakuma and the expected shutdown to begin from closer Fernando Rodney. It’s going to be an exciting year. Buckle your safety belts.