SEAside Thoughts: Mariners Break Through in Week 10

Mariners SEAside Thoughts: Week 10

“It’s a very slow process – two steps forward, one step back – but I’m inching in the right direction.”

-Author: Rob Reiner

• They finally did it! September of 2018 feels like a million years ago, but that was the last time the Mariners won a series in Houston.
  • Seattle looked like they belonged on the field with Houston. When’s the last time we truly felt that when watching these teams play a series? Sure the Mariners have had some great wins or comebacks, but there’s usually an injury or some fluky aspect to the game. Not this time, and in my opinion, that means the Mariners are getting closer to their ultimate goal.
  • The Astros continue to display why they’re one of the most hated franchises in all of professional sports. Take a small break from their cheating scandal, and let’s talk about them throwing at batters because they are sore losers. That is twice this season we have seen the Astros throw at a Seattle Mariners hitter after a big play was made. It cost Seattle Kyle Lewis for who knows how long, and it has no place in today’s game.
  • Julio Rodriguez throwing the knockout punch immediately after the big scuffle between the Astros and the Mariners was so satisfying. It felt like a superstar saying enough of this crap, I’m putting these punks away. Julio seems to have the talent and ability to understand and deliver in those moments. Fans are going to have so many incredible memories because of that man.
  • Justin Verlander is an ageless wonder. After suffering a rare defeat last time he faced the Mariners (I miss you Kyle Lewis!), Verlander reminded Seattle who their daddy was yet again. It sucks getting beat, but Verlander is one of the game’s all-time greats and we’re only going to see him mow down batters for a little bit longer. Sometimes, even when it hurts, you have to appreciate greatness.
• As great of a high as it was taking 2 out of 3 in Houston, it felt equally deflating seeing the M’s lose 2 out of 3 to Boston, the team they’re most directly chasing.
  • This was a weird series. The Mariners gave Friday’s game away, stole Saturday’s, and couldn’t get the offense going in Sunday’s 2-0 loss. That completes the season series with Boston dominating Seattle 6-1, which really isn’t indicative of how those games are played.
  • I have talked about this a few times in previous SEAside Thoughts, but the tiebreaker game with these potential postseason chasers continues to stack up against Seattle. The Mariners now have lost the season series to the Red Sox and the Rays, and are in danger of losing the season series to the Blue Jays and White Sox. This tough road continues to get tougher, even if Seattle is playing better.
  • J.D. Martinez and Xander Bogarts sure are special hitters. Those are two guys that fit the profile of cornerstone bats, and it’s no wonder they have some World Series rings between them…What’s that?…They’re BOTH free agents this winter?…Interesting!
  • I’m happy Abe Toro and Dylan Moore got to be the heroes on Saturday night. The numbers show that Moore deserves more playing time. The numbers show that Toro is very unlucky, but also not deserving of playing time. I understand he’s Dipoto’s guy from a controversial trade, but I just don’t know what his future looks like if this team genuinely wants to win and get to October. I can see it with Moore, not with Toro.
  • Robbie Ray looked like the $115 million man on Sunday. No, he wasn’t dominant and get a ton of strikeouts, but he had good control and commanded the game. If Ray doesn’t walk anyone, he can absolutely dominate without having his best stuff.
  • Keeping under three walks a game for Ray will be the difference in how long and strong he can go in games. It was a bummer he didn’t get run support. As Seattle Sports’s Mike Salk stated, getting Ray right can be a difference-maker if Seattle wants to turn this around.
  • I love me some Sewald, but that’s two straight appearances where he’s given up potential game-winning home runs. Giles and Swanson’s returns will be a huge boost, especially with Castillo dominating, but Seattle needs 2021 Paul Sewald.

• The Mariners played two playoff teams this week and went .500 – there’s something to be said about that. They squandered a chance to get closer to Boston, instead they now find themselves 4.5 games back of the final slot. However, that isn’t terrible, considering there’s 102 games left.
• What’s important right now is for Seattle to get more consistent play. Injured players coming back will help, but Seattle hasn’t won three straight games since April 25th. They need to get on a streak and push their way to .500 and over. Once there, then you can start thinking about hunting down playoff-chasers.
• No better way to continue this important homestand and start a winning streak than with All-Star contending pitcher Logan Gilbert on the bump for the M’s against the AL Central-leading Twins.
• This week’s “Mariners Music Mojo” is Believe by the Bravery.