Mariners fans overjoyed the real Eduard Bazardo showed up for Venezuela in WBC

Eduard Bazardo was a massive success last year for the Seattle Mariners, but all a lot of people can remember is how he functionally ended their playoff run in heart-breaking fashion. Well, 2026 is off to a tremendous start for him after helping Venezuela clinch their first World Baseball Classic title on Tuesday, with a 3-2 win versus Team USA.

Bazardo pitched in five games for his country during the WBC, allowing two hits, one run (a solo blast by Vladimir Guerrero Jr.) and a couple of walks, while also striking out two in 3.1 combined innings. He more than played his part in a bullpen which had a huge hand in helping Venezuela win it all, including going back-to-back in the semifinal and final.

Every Day Eduard has been a dog for the Mariners

This type of effort will come as no surprise to the Mariners or their fans, after he made 73 appearances last season for the team and led the bullpen with 78.2 combined innings. At this point, his durability and toughness has earned him the unofficial nickname of Every Day Eduard. (Due credit to SoDo Mojo's Zachary Rymer.)

The only issue with being so reliable was that the Mariners leaned on him more than maybe they should have done, albeit not helped by injury issues and a lack of quality bullpen options. This unfortunately came to a head in Game 7 of the ALCS against the Toronto Blue Jays, when he allowed George Springer to hit a three-run homer in the bottom of the seventh to make the difference in the devastating 4-3 loss.

Yet nobody blames Bazardo, with it ultimately being put on M's manager Dan Wilson for his bullpen management. (Although there is some irony in the deep critical analysis being done at the time by MLB Network's Mark DeRosa, who is now receiving plenty of blame himself for decisions which are being perceived as the reason Team USA did not win their second WBC title.)

Eduard Bazardo looking for an encore in Seattle after a career year

Irrespectively, the truth is that Bazardo is a badass who came through time and time again last season for the Mariners. He ranked in the 91st percentile for Pitching Run Value, with his sensational campaign including a 2.52 ERA, 150 ERA+, 26.2 percent strikeout rate, 1.107 WHIP and career-best 1.8 bWAR.

As for the unfortunate moment in Game 7 of the ALCS, let's not also forget his masterpiece in the deciding Game 5 of the ALDS versus the Detroit Tigers. In a tense and anxiety-inducing 15-inning marathon he proved he had guts to go with his talent, as he faced 10 batters over 2.2 shutout innings and only allowed one hit and a walk, while also striking out four.

So hats off to Bazardo, with Mariners fans everywhere undoubtedly delighted for him after helping Venezuela to WBC glory. It also sets him up perfectly ahead of a season which has all the makings of being a special one in Seattle; it would be one hell of an encore if the righty can help the M's win their first World Series in franchise history.