SEAside Thoughts: Mariners continue worrisome trends.
After a nine game homestand, the Seattle Mariners hit the road for nine games with the first six being against World Series contenders in Philadelphia and Toronto.
After an impressive showing in game one in Philadelphia, the Mariners proceeded to have one of the worst four game losing streaks I can remember. If not for an epic comeback victory to salvage the Toronto series, the Mariners might be in one of the darker places we've seen this club in nearly a year.
More 1 run losses, extra innings struggles, and blown leads
Painful. That's the best way to describe this season so far for the Mariners. Injuries have cost players games, Robbie Ray his season. The 1 run losses continue to pile up, losses in which the Mariners held the lead is now up into the double digits.
Thanks to Big Dumper's huge game winning home run on Sunday in the 10th inning, the Mariners finally won an extra innings game, now sitting at 1-4.
You can look at this two ways. The negative viewpoint is that the luck Seattle has experienced the past two seasons is catching up to them. Considering how thin the margin for error had been in 2021 and 2022, the luck pendulum has swung completely the other way and the M's are paying for it. The positive side is that while the Mariners are 12-16, they've been extremely competitive in almost every single one of those losses. A few tweeks and things could turn around quickly.
Julio hurt, or taking a break?
Things will not get better if Julio Rodriguez is out for an extended period of time. Julio missed Sunday's game with a back injury, although he did do some activities before the game. After a rough start to the season, hopefully feasting on some Oakland pitching will get him and others on track.
New guys as bad as ever
Despite Teo's oppo taco to help the Mariners come from behind on Sunday, he and the new offensive additions are about as popular in Seattle as Cale Makar.
The trio of Kolten Wong, Teoscar Hernandez and Tommy La Stella have combined to hit .195 in 200 AB's and a combined -0.6 WAR. While Teo is bringing the power we'd hoped for (on pace for 40 HR's) the lack of competitive at bats and poor fielding are making life just so difficult.
The situation was already frustrating because every single Mariners fan knew that Teo and Wong wasn't enough, and yet ownership and the front office felt like it was ok to start the season with.
Baseball is a marathon, so I don't foresee a major change in the next three weeks, but if the struggles continue as we inch closer to June, I think Wong and La Stella will no longer be in Seattle.
Cal, JP save the week on Sunday
Enough negativity! How about JP Crawford and Cal Raleigh on Sunday? Crawford down to his last strike and in an intense environment, was able to come through to keep the Mariners alive. He may only be hitting .238, but he's been a much better looking hitter this year compared to last.
Cal owns Toronto, what more can you say. He's shown that last season was not a fluke, and that he's one of the best catchers in the American League.
There contributions helped salvage a brutal showing in Philly and Toronto, and puts Seattle in position to still have a 5-4 road trip. Sweeping teams is never easy, but the Oakland A's are the worst team in baseball, and the Mariners can get the job done. There's excitement with Bryce Miller being called up for today's start, and the Mariners should be heavy favorites in each game.
The opportunity to head back home to face their arch rival Houston Astros at 15-16 and on a 4 game winning streak could change the vibes completely.
Thoughts on the unis?
I love them. Almost all of the City Connect uniforms have been borderline horrific, and Seattle has a really cool concept. While I was interested in a completely new color scheme, I appreciate the Connect uniforms to be a connection to the history of Seattle baseball. The nods to the Pilots, the trident, the Steelheads and Dave Neihaus is really cool.
I hope they bring some good fortune as the Mariners turn the page to May, and an opportunity to show their championship potential.
Go M's