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3 Reasons for the Seattle Mariners Summer Surge

By Andrew Bailie |
Seattle Mariners v Houston Astros
Seattle Mariners v Houston Astros / Bob Levey/GettyImages
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If anyone had said the Mariners were going to go on a hot streak back at the start of July they would have been laughed at. On July 1, the Mariners were 38-42, had just lost 15-4 to the Tampa Bay Rays, looking like they would not even be a factor in the postseason race. Since then, the M's have gone on a tear, going (31-13) in there last 44 games with a 70.4% winning percentage. After sweeping Houston, the Mariners are just 3 GB of Texas for the division, while holding a half game (0.5) lead over Toronto for the final Wild Card.

The past two months have been quite an unreal turnaround for a team that was searching for answers at the end of June. The Mariners had under performed expectations all year until they flipped the switch at the start of July. Winning each of their final three series to close out the first half (45-44) one game above .500.


The second half got off to a rocky start, with the Mariners dropping their first series to the Tigers who were below .500 and in third place in the woeful AL Central. The Mariners then split a series with the AL Central leading Minnesota Twins. During the series however, they suffered a blow to their roster with the loss of Jared Kelenic to a broken foot after he kicked a cooler in frustration at the end of a 6-3 loss in game three of the series.


Even though the Mariners would go on to win their next three series coming into the trade deadline, the Mariners decided to trade closer Paul Sewald to the D-Backs for INF Josh Rojas, 1B/OF Dominic Canzone, and INF Ryan Bliss. The move was strange at the time given the front office made no additional moves, but it was expected given the Mariners place in the Wild Card standings and the division race. Catcher Cal Raleigh had this to say about the Paul Sewald trade at the time, "We can look at it two ways: we can pack it in, or we can keep going and trying make this thing real and kind of prove them wrong."


Since the Paul Sewald trade, the Mariners have done nothing but prove the front office wrong. Ripping off 15 wins in 19 games, while winning five of their last six series. Here is how the Mariners have gone on their summer surge:


Reason #1 Julio's sizzling summer

Seattle Mariners v Houston Astros
Seattle Mariners v Houston Astros / Bob Levey/GettyImages

Julio Rodriguez has been on an absolutely insane hot streak on this road trip, punctuating an amazing second half. Rodriguez set an MLB record with 17 hits in four games against Kansas City and Houston. He's 21 for 37 in his last seven games hitting .568, 12 RBI, and a 1.417 OPS in that span. Putting up absolutely absurd numbers and helping catapult the Mariners into the final Wild Card spot, and just 3 GB of the Texas Rangers for first place in the AL West.


Overall, Julio is hitting .347 since the start of the second half, with a .986 OPS, 8 HR, 30 RBI, and 52 hits. Some may have wondered whether Julio's participation in the HR Derby in Seattle would hinder his post all star break performance. Julio has put any of those questions to rest with a blistering hot second half.

Julio's turnaround has coincided with the Mariners surge the past two months. In the first half of the season, as the Mariners were just hanging around .500, Julio was in the midst of a sophomore slump. Hitting just .249, with a .721 OPS far below his career averages of .281 and .827.


Any worries about Julio's regression have clearly been put to bed over the past two months given his exceptional play on the field. The Mariners have certainly needed him both at the plate and in the field, especially after Kelenic's unfortunate injury at the end of July. Julio's second half success has helped put the Mariners in the thick of the playoff chase.


Reason #2 The Mariners Bullpen

San Diego Padres v Seattle Mariners
San Diego Padres v Seattle Mariners / Alika Jenner/GettyImages


Despite trading their closer Paul Sewald prior to the trade deadline, and some recent struggles, the Mariners bullpen has been superb in the second half of the season. Since the All-Star break, the Mariners relievers have posted an ERA of 2.53 and a (12-6) record. In the first half of the season the Mariners bullpen had an ERA of 3.73 along with a (14-15) record. The M's bullpen came up big on Sunday as Trent Thornton, Matt Brash, Justin Topa, Andres Munoz, and Gabe Speier each threw at least one scoreless inning. Helping rescue starting pitcher Emerson Hancock who left after throwing two scoreless innings with a lat injury.

Here are some of the top performers in the M's bullpen in the Second Half:

Matt Brash has posted a 2.95 ERA and a (5-1) record after going (4-3) with a 3.50 ERA in the first half of the season (he also earning the win in Sunday's game). He has been the most used Mariners reliever this season with 62 appearances this year. Brash has been indispensable for the M's, as they frequently use him in high leverage situations such as Sunday where he came in with Seattle holding a two-run lead.


One of the best Mariners relievers for the second half of the 2023 season has been Justin Topa. A surprise success story who has posted an impressive 0.55 ERA in 16.1 IP since the All-Star break. The Mariners have also used him in high leverage situations, but have only used him sparingly in closing opportunities.


Andres Munoz has done an admirable job filling in as the Mariners most frequent closer in save opportunities. After battling injuries for the majority of the first half of the season, the return of Andres Munoz has been a welcome sign. Posting a 2.45 ERA and collecting six saves since after the All-Star break.

Gabe Speier closed out Sunday's game collecting his first career save against the Astros. Helping the Mariners complete a three-game sweep of Houston. Speier has been incredibly effective this season with a 1.29 ERA in 14 IP since the break.


Reason #3 The Mariners Offense

Tampa Bay Rays v Seattle Mariners
Tampa Bay Rays v Seattle Mariners / Steph Chambers/GettyImages

Not only has the bullpen and Julio Rodriguez been on fire, the rest of the Mariners lineup has been on a tear since the All-Star break. Hitting .262 (7th in MLB), scoring 174 runs (7th in MLB), and slugging .459 (4th in the MLB). Seattle's success at the plate has translated to more wins in the second half of the season.

Here the best Mariners of the second half outside of Julio

Dylan Moore has been sensational in the back end of the lineup hitting .350, with a 1.202 OPS. and 15 RBI after the break. Moore's ability to get on base has been a huge to the Mariners lineup, giving the top of the order more opportunities to drive in runs, and wreaking havoc on the base paths. While also providing some power of his own with six home runs since the break.


Tom Murphy, like Dylan Moore has provided a spark at bottom of the order in the second half of the season. Until his thumb injury this past week, Murphy was hitting .313, with a .909 OPS, and three HR. Hopefully, Murphy will be able to return to the lineup soon, as he has given the Mariners a much needed offensive boost the past two months.

JP Crawford is having an amazing second half, hitting .307, with a .897 OPS, and 16 runs scored. Before his concussion injury, JP was crushing the ball and setting the table Seattle's lineup. While also was making amazing plays around the diamond behind Mariner pitchers.

Each of these factors has shot the Mariners ahead in the Wild Card race and put them in play for the AL West Title

The Mariners offensive breakout, led by Julio Rodriguez has spearheaded Seattle's summer surge. With the M's bullpen also doing a phenomenal job of holding down leads, the Mariners have been unstoppable the past two months. Seattle has earned the right to control their own destiny as the MLB season comes down the home stretch. Exciting times lay ahead for the Seattle Mariners and their fans.

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