Seattle Mariners vs Oakland A’s: 5 Players to Watch in Japan Series

TOKYO, JAPAN - MARCH 18: Outfielder Ichiro Suzuki (C) #51 of the Seattle Mariners celebrates after his team's 6-5 victory with his team mates in the preseason friendly game between Yomiuri Giants and Seattle Mariners at Tokyo Dome on March 18, 2019 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Masterpress/Getty Images)
TOKYO, JAPAN - MARCH 18: Outfielder Ichiro Suzuki (C) #51 of the Seattle Mariners celebrates after his team's 6-5 victory with his team mates in the preseason friendly game between Yomiuri Giants and Seattle Mariners at Tokyo Dome on March 18, 2019 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Masterpress/Getty Images) /
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4. Marco Gonzales

ARLINGTON, TX – SEPTEMBER 22: Marco Gonzales #32 of the Seattle Mariners pitches in the first inning against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Park in Arlington on September 22, 2018, in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX – SEPTEMBER 22: Marco Gonzales #32 of the Seattle Mariners pitches in the first inning against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Park in Arlington on September 22, 2018, in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images) /

This spring has really been an up and down spring for Mariners lefty Marco Gonzales. After surprising many people with his excellent 2018, Marco came into Spring Training looking to prove he wasn’t a one season wonder.

Early in camp, things looked great. He was throwing his changeup more, the curveball looked sharp, and his cutter was as good as ever. He was so impressive this spring, that manager Scott Servais gave him the Opening Day nod over veterans Mike Leake and Felix Hernandez.

Unfortunately, the past 2 outings in Arizona could charitably be described as a disaster. In his 4 starts this spring, Gonzales has been beaten to the tune of a 9.45 ERA and 2.10 WHIP. Obvious caveats about spring training numbers aside, the past two outings have been a disappointment, to say the least.

Like Haniger, Gonzales was, by all accounts, off-limits to teams this winter. Seattle liked him so much, they gave him a new contract, though he’s still ridiculously underpaid, and gave him the nod as the Opening Day starter. They are banking a lot on Marco being at least a mid-rotation arm.

Against the A’s in 2018, Marco was, for lack of a better term, pretty meh. In 15.1 innings, he posted a 4.70 ERA and a 1.37 WHIP. Obviously, all the worry surrounding Marco is based on a small sample size, but the questions still remain.

If Marco can give the Mariners 6 solid innings of ball, he should keep the team in the game and give the Seattle sluggers a chance to hand the ball to the bullpen with a lead. If not, the questions will continue to surround Marco Gonzales latest turn of fortune.