Mariners Analysis: Who’s Hot and Who’s Not

Jun 14, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Roenis Elias (29) talks with catcher Jesus Sucre (2) during the third inning against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Stock Down: Roenis Elias

Oh Roenis, the M’s desperately needed you to come out and have your best start of the year, and you proceeded to have by far your worst. In the last seven days he’s made two starts, and the first of the two foreshadowed what we saw Sunday afternoon against the Astros.

Against the Indians, Elias was able to constantly compete and battle his way out of jams, pitching six innings while allowing just five hits and one earned run. But, in that start he issued a pair of walks as well, and didn’t have great command throughout the start.

Sunday afternoon the Astros’ were patient, and they took advantage of Elias’ miscues. He pitched just 3 1/3 innings, allowing seven earned runs on seven hits while walking four. Watching the game from the left field seats in Minute Maid Park, it was evident from the get go that the Astros’ were going to make him throw his off-speed stuff for strikes, and he simply couldn’t do it. The Astros sat back, and crushed the fastball all throughout the ballpark.

Bad starts happen, just ask Felix Hernandez, but I think there is more of an underlying issue here than with the King. Hernandez was just off for a night, and he will rebound as he always does. Roenis couldn’t locate anything but the fastball for his last two starts, and teams are going to recognize that and sit on it.

Next: Logan Morrison