Mariners vs Cubs: Polanco Pops Off, Miller Makes Mincemeat of the Opposition, and Superstars Give Us Hope

Mariner's Best Pitcher: Bryce Miller

6.1 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 1 R, 3 BB, 4 K

Miller shoved against the Cubs, pitching 6 ⅓ scoreless innings in the first game of the series. While he only notched four strikeouts, he managed to rack up 14 swings and misses and conceded just three hits. In fact, despite his strikeout rate of 23.6% being around league average, his whiff rate of 33.3% is in the 85th percentile.

Miller chooses to induce soft, fly-ball contact as opposed to ground-balls and he garners much of this with his four-seam fastball. The majority of his strikeouts actually come on his splitter, a pitch that is punching out opposing batters at a 38.1% clip. Don't get it wrong though, a Bryce Miller high fastball will still have hitters looking foolish.

He's had a great first three starts to the season, posting a 1.96 ERA and 0.98 WHIP to lead what has been a struggling rotation thus far. Hopefully, the other arms will follow his example soon.

Honorable Mention: Luis Castillo

6.0 IP, 7 H, 2 ER, 3 R, 0 BB, 9 K

In the final game of the series, Castillo finally put up a quality start after three consecutive outings where he conceded four earned runs in fewer than six innings. He also posted his highest single-game strikeout total so far this season at nine and was overall cruising. He seemed to be back in business, painting the edges of the zone like Van Gogh would have done if he could throw 95 miles an hour.