Seattle Mariners: What To Watch For This Weekend

Happy Friday Mariners fans! Time once again for the Friday Top-5. A look at the top five things to look for this weekend as the Seattle Mariners continue through the 2014 season.

It was a rough series against Tampa Bay, losing two of three to the Rays at home. But the team now goes back on the road, in which they actually have a better record.

Sitting at an even 20-20, at the quarter-mark of the 2014 season, the Mariners are two games back of the Los Angeles Angels for 2nd place in the AL West and 4.5 back of the Oakland Athletics for 1st place.

Let’s now take a look at the five things to be watching for/looking forward to this weekend.

1- We’re Going To See the Twins

Yes that’s right, the Mariners make their only trip to Minnesota this weekend to take on the lowly Twins. Wait, what’s that you say? The Twins aren’t as lowly this year?

That’s right. Minnesota is 19-20 on the young season – only a 1/2 game worse than Seattle – and they have scored more runs than Seattle (184-165). I guess the good news could be that the Twins have also allowed more runs so far this season (195-160).

Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

The Twins are an even 10-10 at Target Field so far this season. The Mariners are 12-10 away from Safeco. The weather calls for low-50’s at game time with a chance of rain. You know, just like Seattle in May.

In Game 1, the Mariners send Chris Young to the mound to face Kyle Gibson. Young has been a pleasant surprise for Mariners fans so far this season (3-0, 2.63) and looks to continue building on each outing. Gibson hasn’t had as much success. Gibson is 3-3 with a 4.74 ERA but is 0-2 with an ERA of almost 7 in his last three starts. Gibson lasted just two innings in the shortest start of his young career against the Tigers. He allowed six runs on seven hits, including a three-run homer to Miguel Cabrera.

In Game 2, the Mariners send Roenis Elias to the hill against Samuel Deduno. Deduno made only his second start of the season last weekend, allowing three runs in six innings. For the season, Deduno is 0-2 with a 3.64 ERA in nine games. Elias had a rough outing against the Royals, but the Mariners rallied and Elias ended up with a no decision. This should be a fun game between the two youngsters.

Which leads me to Numbers 2 and 3.

2- A Weekend of Great Pitching

That matchup on Saturday could have everyone’s pulse racing. It could be a low-scoring affair and it could be a 12-10 shootout. Gotta love baseball.

In Game 3, Happy Felix Day. Felix Hernandez (4-1, 3.03) goes against Ricky Nolasco (2-3, 5.51). Corey Hart and John Buck both love to face Nolasco – each hitting over .400 against him over the past five seasons. Felix is looking for his 5th win on the season, following a game in which he was ejected for the first time in his career. Speaking of Felix….

3- Happy Felix Day

Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

On Sunday, Felix Hernandez takes the hill against the Minnesota Twins. Like I mentioned earlier, Felix was ejected from his last start for barking at the home plate umpire as he was already being removed from the game. The ejection was simply for show at that point.

It will be interesting to see how Felix bounces back from that performance. He allowed four runs – all in the 7th inning – after six scoreless prior.

What I am watching for is to see if there is any leftover angst from that outing. Or if the King will use that frustration and channel it into a solid outing for himself. Felix has been up and down this season, starting out 3-0 and looking really good doing it.

He then “fell apart” for Felix-standards, going winless in five starts, picking up his first loss of the season and not striking out nearly as many as he was.

In the month of May, opponents are hitting .320 against Felix and he has an ERA of 4.50. He’s not going to pitch a no-hitter every time he goes out there, but it would be nice to see dominant Felix for a nice long stretch again.

4- The Rested Bullpen

The Seattle Mariners bullpen needed a rest. They got it on Thursday with the travel day to Minnesota. In fact, they didn’t have much work on Tuesday with Hisashi Iwakuma pitching eight scoreless. Fernando Rodney came in and destroyed that, but the bullpen had a nice rest overall in the Tampa series.

Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

I fully expect that all three starters in this series against the Twins can go at least seven innings. In baseball, anything can happen, but I’m confident that the rested bullpen will get even more rest this weekend.

Speaking of the bullpen: What has gotten into Charlie Furbush? Mariners fans loved to pile the hate onto Furbush early in the season and he has done a complete 180 of late.

In his last four appearances, dating back to May 5, Furbush has pitched 2.2 IP, has allowed two walks and nothing else. No hits, no runs, just two walks to go with four strikeouts.

I have a running theory as to what may have corrected the troubles of one Mr. Furbush, but I have to keep it under wraps for now. Stay tuned.