Mariners Weekly Rundown: Who’s Hot & Who’s Not

The Mariners are on a roll, and the recent performances of Robinson Cano and Kyle Seager are a huge reason why.

It was another successful week for the Seattle Mariners. The M’s spent the past seven days away from Safeco Field, and oddly, being away from home is never a bad thing for this group. The Mariners finished the week with a record of 5-2, and currently lead the American League West by half a game over the Texas Rangers.

The Mariners began the week by doing some spring cleaning, sweeping the three game series against the Oakland Athletics. They then took a trip to Houston, and split the four-game weekend series with the last place Astros.

It was obviously a very productive week for the Mariners. Overall, the M’s averaged 4.86 runs per game during the past 7 contests. The pitching was equally as impressive, allowing just 4.14 runs per game.

It’s fair to say that the Mariners will end their lengthy playoff drought in 2016 if they can continue to play consistently. Seattle is 18-13 on the season, and are the proud owners of the best road record (13-5) in the American League.

Today we will take a closer look at which individuals stood out this week for the Mariners. Robinson Cano had arguably the best 7-game stretch of anyone in baseball, and he is the first player that warrants attention.

Next: The Cano Show Gets More Entertaining Every Week!

The Cano Show Gets More Entertaining Every Week!

Robinson Cano was legendary this week. The superstar second baseman slashed .516/.516/.1000 with 4 home runs and 9 RBI through 7 games. Cano also contributed 3 doubles and scored 8 runs. The highlight had to be Saturday night when he tallied 4 hits and belted a pair of homers, including the game winner in the top of the 10th inning.

The 33-year-old is having an MVP caliber season so far in 2016. Cano is hitting .305 with 12 home runs and 33 RBI across 31 games. He currently leads the league in home runs and RBI. Cano has also registered a .355 on base percentage and slugged .633 in 128 at bats. Remarkably, Robbie is on pace to launch 63 homers and drive in 172 runs this season.

These are the kinds of numbers M’s fans dreamt about when Seattle signed Cano to his monster deal a couple seasons ago. If this is what a healthy Robbie Cano looks like, then the Mariners are going to be ridiculously hard to stop this year.

Next: Mayckol Stepped in the Guaipe

Mayckol Stepped in the Guaipe

Overall, the M’s bullpen dominated the opposition this past week. However, the squeaky wheel was Mayckol Guaipe. The 25-year-old right-hander allowed 4 runs (3 earned) on 6 hits across 5 innings of work. Guaipe struck out 4 and walked 2 in three appearances.

Guaipe was recalled from Tacoma at the end of April, and he has struggled in limited action with the Mariners. He currently sports 6.35 ERA across four appearances. Guaipe has surrendered 6 runs on 8 hits through 5.2 innings.

At his current pace, it’s hard to foresee Mayckol spending much more time in Seattle. He has not looked overly comfortable on the mound, and he likely needs a bit more seasoning with the Rainiers.

Next: Nate is Pretty Great

Nate is Pretty Great

Nate Karns has found his groove, and he is currently one of the best starters in the M’s rotation. The 28-year-old right-hander went 1-0 with a 2.92 ERA across two starts last week. Karns allowed 4 runs on 12 hits while striking out 14 and walking 3 through 12.1 innings. He held the opposition to 1.22 walks/hits per inning, and a .255 batting average.

The Texas Tech alum has really solidified the backend of the Mariners’ rotation. Karns is 3-1 with a 3.38 ERA through his first six outings. He has posted a 38:15 strikeout to walk ratio, and a 1.33 WHIP. The opposition is hitting a meager .237 against Karns in 2016.

Jerry Dipoto has hit home runs on nearly all of his offseason acquisitions, but few newcomers have contributed more than Nate Karns so far. Hopefully he is able to keep it rolling this week.

Next: A-Bomb is Malfunctioning

A-Bomb is Malfunctioning

Adam Lind had another rough showing this week. The M’s first baseman registered a .158 batting average after going 3 for 19 this week. Lind drove in a pair of runs, but did not contribute any extra-base hits. He also posted a disappointing 5:1 strikeout to walk ratio in 5 games.

The 32-year-old has had a miserable start to his Mariners career in 2016. Lind is currently slashing .212/.236/.271 with 1 home run and 5 RBI through 26 games. Obviously this is not the level of production Seattle was hoping to see out of Lind this season. Hopefully he is able to turn things around this week.

Next: Seager is Making us Believers Again

Seager is Making us Believers Again

Kyle Seager found his stroke this week, and it was fun to watch. The All-Star third baseman went 13 for 30 (.433) with 2 home runs and 6 RBI across 7 games. Seags added 3 doubles and a pair of triples to his already impressive stat line.

The North Carolina alum is having a down year thus far, slashing .233/.305/.509 through 116 at bats. He has however done a nice job in the power department, homering 7 times and driving in 19 runs across 30 games.

The 28-year-old had an awful month of April, but hopefully his recent string of success is an indication that he has worked out the kinks in his swing.

Next: King Felix gets Dethroned

King Felix gets Dethroned

Felix Hernandez had an opportunity to overtake Jamie Moyer as the M’s winningest pitcher last week, but he was roughed up by the Oakland A’s. King Felix allowed 8 runs (4 earned) on 9 hits across 4 innings in his lone start of the week. He fanned 1 and walked none en route to taking a no-decison. The A’s hit .409 against Hernandez, which is something Mariners’ fans are not used to seeing.

The 30-year-old perennial Cy Young candidate has not been his usual dominant self in 2016. His numbers (2-2, 2.21 ERA) are excellent, but his stuff has been subpar. Hernandez’s velocity is noticeably down, and he has been throwing more breaking balls in an attempt to compensate. However, that has led to far more walks (18) this season than we are used to seeing out of the King.

Hernandez will get another shot to surpass Moyer tonight against the Tampa Bay Rays at Safeco Field. Many of Felix’s best games have come against the light hitting Rays (his perfect game), so hopefully he can get the job done tonight.

Next: BoomStick Stays Hot

The BoomStick Stays Hot

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Nelson Cruz continues to be an intimidating presence in the heart of the Mariners’ lineup. The 35-year-old slugger slashed .320/.370/.440 across 25 at bats this week. Cruz clubbed 1 home run and drove in a pair of runs in 6 games. His dinger was truly special, as it traveled over 430 ft. and landed in the upper deck in center field at the Oakland Coliseum.

Cruz has been a very productive player for Seattle this season, and he is a big reason why Seattle is in first place right now. The BoomStick is hitting .268 with 5 home runs and 16 RBI through 30 games. He has posted a .371 on base percentage and slugged .455 across 112 at bats.

He may not be having an MVP type of season, but Cruz is doing exactly what the Mariners need to make the playoffs this year.

Next: Smitty hits a speed bump

Cishek Cuts through the Opposition

Steve Cishek is quickly establishing himself as one of the top 9th inning men in the American League. The M’s closer went 1-0 while saving 3 games and a posting a 1.80 ERA in four appearances this week. Cishek struck out 6 and walked 2 in 5 innings of work. His lone hiccup came when he allowed a game-tying solo home run in the 9th on Saturday against the Astros. This served as his first blown save of the year, but he recovered nicely in the 10th to earn to the win.

The 29-year-old right-hander is off to an impressive start in Seattle, going 2-1 with a 1.13 ERA and 9 saves across 14 appearances. Cishek has registered a 17:4 strikeout to walk ratio through 16 innings pitched. He has held the opposition to just 0.81 walks/hits per inning, and a .158 batting average.

Next: Mariners Game Recap: Astros Blast Past M’s in Houston

Cishek is having an All-Star season for Seattle, and he has been rock solid as the Mariners closer in 2016.