Mariners' series loss to Astros featured a critical bullpen development

There was plenty to dislike about the Seattle Mariners' trip to Houston, with them losing a four-game series against the Astros they should have at least tied and could have actually won. Zachary Rymer covered all the gory details with his series grades, but it wasn't an entirely lost cause for the M's.

Arguably top of the positives in Southeast Texas was Matt Brash's appearance during the series finale on Sunday. He entered the game in the bottom of the eighth with two outs and, following a walk which loaded the bases, he managed to end the threat and get the Mariners out of the inning still tied at 3-3.

Now, Brash only threw 10 pitches and caused issues for himself with the aforementioned walk. However, what made his appearance so important was that it was the first time he had pitched after one day of rest since returning from Tommy John surgery, which forced him to miss all of last season.

Matt Brash has been tremendous for the Mariners

The 27-year-old has been excellent since coming back, as highlighted by not yet giving up a single run in 6.0 combined innings over seven appearances. On top of this is a 1.167 WHIP which, while not outstanding, is still good enough that it would be the best of his career.

Brash's return was much needed for a bullpen which didn't have much to rely on behind the phenomenal Andrés Muñoz. As of Tuesday morning, the Mariners' ranking of 10th in the majors in ERA isn't horrific, but the underlying issues are evidenced by being 17th in WHIP and 21st in opposing team batting average.

It speaks volumes that Mariners manager Dan Wilson was prepared to loosen the leash on Brash, by putting him into the game in such a key situation after one day of rest. As per Tim Booth of The Seattle Times, Wilson said: "We were good with him getting us out of that inning and making sure that we got a chance to hit and try to take the lead."

Mariners still weary of overusing Matt Brash

At the same time, the Mariners are also wanting to remain careful with Brash, with him still in the relatively early stages of his return from injury. This is why Wilson didn't give in to any temptation to bring the righty out to at least begin the bottom of the ninth, instead going with the ill-fated decision to turn to Casey Legumina.

This alludes to the Mariners being weary of using Brash too much overall. He led all Major League relievers with 78 appearances in 2023, and there is a genuine school of thought that this contributed towards his injury and missing all of the following season.

One thing to keep an eye moving forward is the Kingston, Ontario native's slider, which is arguably the best pitch on the staff, never mind just among the relievers. As per Baseball Savant, his slider averaged 88.8 mph during 2023 but is down to 86.7 so far in 2025.

Overall, it's a positive to have the 2019 fourth-round draft pick back and pitching well for a bullpen which desperately needed reinforcements. As per the series against the Astros, he's already shown just how important he is to the Mariners, and with the promise that he's only going to improve as we progress through the 2025 season.

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