SEAside Thoughts: Mariners continue to let opportunities slip by

After the emotional series win over the Astros, the Seattle Mariners were finally back to .500, had won six out of seven games, and appeared to have turned a corner. With the division leading Texas Rangers coming to town with a 3.5 game lead, Seattle could gain some real ground.

Despite running their three best pitchers against a Rangers lineup missing Corey Seager, the Mariners managed to sandwich a dominant win with two brutal losses. 

Logan Gilbert was perfect through 6 innings in game one, but a couple of mistakes combined with an inept offense cost Seattle game one. In the rubber match, and I absolutely love Luis Castillo, but his 1 or 2 bad innings he'll have reared its ugly head as Seattle lost the series 4-3. Once again, the Mariners lost two games by 1 run when they held the lead at some point. 

I can keep harping on this, but we saw it on Sunday against a Tigers team that looks terrible this season. I'll never be angry about a series win, but the Mariners blowing another lead while the Rangers extend their lead over Seattle to 5 games. At some point you are what you are, and I am worried that Seattle might just be a .500 team that struggles in close games.

The rotation is fantastic. Logan Gilbert has been fantastic in his past two starts, and yet has nothing to show for it. Castillo and Kirby have been just as good, if not better this year than last, and Bryce Miller has looked like a franchise altering stud so far. The offense needs to pick it up in the next three weeks, or Jerry Dipoto will have to make a move.

Quick Thoughts-

Berroa is coming

Spring Training darling Prelander Berroa recently switched from starting pitcher to a reliever for the MiLB Arkansas Travelers. In relief this weekend, Berrooa went 2 innings allowing zero base runners with 4K's and 18 strikes on 22 pitches. That's pretty darn good. 

With Munoz out for who knows how long, I think we will see Berroa by early June, and he could be a perfect fill-in as a major bullpen weapon for Scott Servais.

Feeling Gray

This is definitely a small potatoes thing, but I kinda miss seeing the gray Seattle Mariners uniforms. I think it's pretty lame that MLB has a uniform cap, and while I love the navy, it's just odd not seeing that gray Seattle front anymore.

What's on deck?

After a dominant game one victory in Boston, the Mariners look to continue that level of play against a Red Sox squad that is currently ahead of them in the wild card chase.

This will continue a very difficult road trip as the Mariners will then head to Atlanta to take on the Atlanta is currently 26-15 which is good for the best record in the NL and a six game cushion in the East. It will be must watch television when Bryce Miller takes his historic start and talent up against a Braves team that I predicted would win the World Series this fall.

Go M's