Seattle’s Season Rests on Felix Hernandez’s Right Shoulder

Last night was an embarrassment.

The Seattle Mariners have 6 games left to play and stand 2 games back of a postseason spot. They need to get at least 5, if not 6, wins, to legitimately give themselves an opportunity to play in October.

But if there were anyone the M’s would want on the mound with their season hanging in the balance, it would be King Felix.

Game Details:

Seattle Mariners: 83-73. Lost 10 of their last 15 games.

Toronto Blue Jays: 79-77.

Game Time: 4:07 PM Pacific. Toronto, Canada. Rogers Centre.

MATCHUPS:

Pitching:

Seattle Mariners RHP Felix Hernandez (14-5, 2.07 ERA) v. Toronto Blue Jays RHP R.A. Dickey (13-12, 3.82 ERA)

Edge? King Felix.

Felix Hernandez, along with Robbie Cano, has been the proverbial rock for the Mariners this season. His 2.07 ERA is a career best and leads the American League. Dickey, a fellow former-Cy Young winner, has been effective and erratic at times this season. The Mariners can only home they find their bats against the knuckleballer while Felix flexes his late season muscles.

Lineups:

Mariners:

Austin Jackson 8

Dustin Ackley 7

Robinson Cano 4

Kendrys Morales DH

Kyle Seager 5

Logan Morrison 3

Michael Saunders 9

Mike Zunino 2

Brad Miller 6

Of Note: the M’s did score 4 runs on 9 hits last night, but their pitching staff was met with a relentless buzzsaw that put the game out of reach before there was even a thought of winning. Both Seager and Chris Denorfia checked in with home runs. On any other night, this could have been a respectable win for the Mariners.

Blue Jays:

Jose Reyes 6

Jose Bautista 9

Edwin Encarnacion DH

Adam Lind 3

Munenori Kawasaki 5

Dalton Pompey 7

Anthony Gose 8

Josh Thole 2

Ryan Goins 4

Of Note: they scored 14 runs last night. Yep, that about says it all. Against a Mariners rotation and bullpen that are imploding at the most crucial time of the season.

Final Thoughts:

It’s way past crunch time for the Mariners. Standing 2 games out with only 6 to play, something has gotta give.

I will say it now: if the Mariners do not win this game– and I do expect them to win– they have no chance of making the playoffs. Put up or shut up, boys.

Score Prediction:

Mariners 2, Blue Jays 1.