SEAside Thoughts: Mariners Homestand To Remember

SEAside Thoughts: Mariners Week 3 in Review

“My parents didn’t want to move to Florida, but they turned sixty and that’s the law.”

― Jerry Seinfeld

• Robbie Ray had a workman-like week. Coming off an emotional weekend series win over Houston, plus the rest day, it was very possible to have a letdown. That’s what makes having a #1 guy like Robbie Ray so nice. You play a bad team in Texas, and Ray and the M’s put the foot on the throat, even if they weren’t at their best or 100%.
• The same exact script could be said for Sunday’s victory over Kansas City. An emotional game the night before, end of a long homestand, and a rest day on the horizon. Instead of a letdown, Ray grinded through to help Seattle win his two starts this homestand. Seattle is 3-1 when Ray pitches, I’ll take those odds over the course of the season.
• Speaking of not being at 100%, Covid has thrown quite the unique wrench into the homestand. By the end of the week, Seattle had lost Mitch Haniger, Luis Torrens, Paul Sewald, and coaches Scott Servais and Manny Acta. I look forward to getting them all back, but bravo to those with temporary additions and promotions. They all stepped up this week.
• The Wednesday loss to the Rangers was really weird. J.P. Crawford had an incredible week offensively, but one of the worst of his career defensively. The loss on Wednesday perfectly summed up his week. All-Star level bat, but some uncharacteristic throws from the former Gold Glover. Hopefully that was just a blip, while the offense can stick around for a while.
• Ty France will be MLB’s Player of the Week, or else we riot.
• Ty France is so good.

• Thank you San Diego for the awesome trades. It’s not hyperbole to think Seattle may look back at those trades in the same light as the Varitek/Lowe trade, but with us winning this time around.
• It was great to see a game where Julio Rodriguez and Jarred Kelenic both came up with huge hits in Friday night’s 4-1 win over the Royals. Combined, I have been very impressed by their defense, including Kelenic’s laser of an arm that we saw on Sunday. Julio’s speed on the base paths also gives the Mariners a RISP almost every time he gets on base.
• Offensively, I still believe that there are signs of slow improvement, but it is absolutely brutal watching these two try to hit a breaking ball. It is one of the most difficult things to do in sports, but these two will struggle to reach their full potential until they can be more competitive against the off-speed pitches that opposing teams are continuing to hammer them with. I’ve talked about it the past two weeks and will continue harping on it. It is vital to the sustained success of this season and future for these two to be on an upward trajectory in reaching their potential.
• Jesse Winker is not fully right at the plate still, but he’s proving to be the clutch player that Seattle absolutely needed to get to October. Three clutch at bats in the final two games against Kansas City proved to be the difference in those two contests. They weren’t monster home runs, but survival at-bats – plays that had to be made and were made. Jesse will get hot, and this offense will need him to, but it feels like he’s found a home here as he finally got his moment.
• The Mariners could have scored another 20-25 runs this week with how many guys they left as RISP. It didn’t hurt Seattle this week, but against the great teams that they’ll eventually face, it could come back to haunt them.
• Drew Steckenrider has been throwing batting practice in his last two outings. Too many middle-middle pitches. On Sunday I would have preferred to see Castillo in for the save. Steck was a serviceable closer last year, but Castillo has better stuff and is pitching much better than last summer. Sewald will stay in the weapon role, and the arrival of Giles could change who becomes the “closer”. For now, put the ball in Castillo’s hand.
• The Mariners currently rank in the top five in the American League in nearly every offensive and pitching categories, leading the league in RBI’s and quality starts.
• That was the most successful homestand for the Seattle Mariners in the past twenty years. When you look at the hype and pressure the team was facing, the offensive struggles during the first week of the season, and the losses from Covid, to go 7-2 and look as dominant as they did was a smashing success.

• The Seattle Mariners are only about 10% of the way through the season, but they currently sit at 10-6 with a +18 run differential. They are in first place in the A.L. West, and are tied for the best record in the American League.
• This feels different, and I can’t wait to see how the summer unfolds.
• This week’s “Mariners Music Mojo” is On The Road Again by Willie Nelson