Seattle Mariners Friday Five: Things To Watch For This Weekend

Aug 13, 2014; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Mariners pitcher Fernando Rodney (56) celebrates after the final out of a 2-0 victory against the Toronto Blue Jays at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

The weekend is upon us and the Seattle Mariners are playing meaningful baseball. Not just in general, but this weekend in particular.

The Mariners open up a three-game series in Detroit with the Tigers today. The Tigers sit just one half game ahead of the Mariners for the 2nd wild-card spot. Thanks to the three-game sweep of the Toronto Blue Jays, the Mariners enjoy a three-game cushion on the Jays.

But let’s not forget that there are still 42 games left in the season. The Mariners are only 5.5 games back of the Angels for the first wild-card spot and just 7.5 games back of Oakland for the AL West lead.

The M’s are about to hit a tough stretch in the schedule with only 15 of the remaining 42 games at Safeco Field. The Mariners play 24 games against teams who are currently above .500. But they also control their own fate, as they have six games against the Athletics and seven games against the Angels.

But for right now, the M’s turn their focus to the Tigers. Here is your Top-5 things to watch for this weekend.

Jul 31, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers center fielder Austin Jackson leaves the filed in the seventh inning against the Chicago White Sox at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

1- The Return Of Austin Jackson To Motown

This three-game series marks the return of Austin Jackson to Detroit for the first time since being traded on the July 31st non-waiver trade deadline. The move also included Tampa Bay sending David Price to Detroit.

In Jackson’s first 12 games with Seattle, he is batting .250 (12-for-48) with five RBI and six runs scored. Being reunited with his former hitting coach, now Seattle manager Lloyd McClendon, has no doubt made the transition a little easier for the 27-year old.

The game is also the first back in Detroit for Skipper McClendon against the team he called home for the previous eight seasons. Detroit came to Safeco earlier this season with the Mariners taking two of the three games.

The challenge for both Jackson and McClendon will be to put the emotions aside once the game starts and try to take sole possession of that 2nd wild-card spot.

Aug 5, 2014; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Mariners pitcher Felix Hernandez (34) throws the ball against the Atlanta Braves during the eighth inning at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

2- The King Tries To Lower The Price

Felix Hernandez takes the hill in game two of the series. He will do so opposite David Price, whom the Tigers acquired at the deadline in the deal that sent Austin Jackson to Seattle. I mention that again, because some people are still having a hard time wrapping their heads around it.

Many had speculated that the Mariners were the most-likely destination for Price, but turns out the price tag was too high. Seattle chose not to part with Taijuan Walker, among others, and Price is a Tiger.

On Saturday, Felix looks to extend his Major League record streak of consecutive starts of 7 IP+ with 2R or fewer allowed to 17 games.

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Hernandez is also in a position to be considered for both the AL Cy Young award and the AL MVP. Hernandez is 13-3 on the season with a 1.95 ERA. He is currently second in the AL in wins (Max Scherzer has 14), he is first in ERA and is 3rd in strikeouts (194) behind Scherzer (196) and Price (205).

With only eight starts left in 2014, Felix needs to continue his run of dominance AND get the kind of run support he saw last time out, to have a shot at getting to 20 wins for the first time in his career.

This game, even more so than his last start against the Blue Jays, will have a playoff feel to it and it is must-see TV.

Aug 9, 2014; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Mariners pitcher James Paxton (65) stands on the mound against the Chicago White Sox during the sixth inning at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

3- James Paxton Is The Trade The Mariners Didn’t Have To Make

As the July 31st trade deadline approached, the Mariners were thought to be in the market for another starting arm. They got one with the return of Paxton from the disabled list.

In his two starts since returning from his lat injury, he has recorded two no decisions, pitched 10.2 innings scattering 10 hits and 3 BB while allowing just 3 ER and striking out nine.

The pitcher a lot of Mariners fans wanted the team to acquire, David Price, has also recorded two no decisions in his first two starts of August.

Price though, has pitched 14.2 innings allowing 13 hits and 3 BB while striking out 16. Similar to the numbers Paxton has put up. Where they separate is when you look at the fact that Price has allowed 7 ER including three homers in those two starts.

It may just be that the Mariners made the best move of the trade deadline, in not acquiring Price.

Paxton will go in game one against Rick Porcello, who has only allowed 4 ER in his last four starts.

Aug 13, 2014; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Mariners designated hitter Kendrys Morales (left) celebrates with Seattle Mariners center fielder Austin Jackson (right) after a two-run home run by Morales against the Toronto Blue Jays during the first inning at Safeco Field. Jackson scored on the hit. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

4- Are We Seeing Kendrys Morales Heat Up?

Over the last week, Kendrys Morales is all of a sudden, looking like a good move. Yes, I just said that. I was very vocal against the M’s signing him this past offseason and even more against the trade that came out of nowhere.

But in the last week, Morales is hitting .304 with 2 2B, 2 HR and 4 RBI. He is still only batting .206 since being traded to Seattle, but the past week is encouraging. Can he continue this success on the road?

Morales has struggled over the past five years against both Porcello (.188, 0 HR, 0 RBI) and Price (.222, 0 HR, 1 RBI). No Mariners batter has faced game three starter Robbie Ray.

If Morales continues to hit the way we’ve seen him hit in the past, this lineup that has struggled to score runs from time to time, all of a sudden becomes a formidable force.

Pair that with the success the pitching rotation has enjoyed this season and it’s hard to argue that the Mariners aren’t a playoff contender.