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SeaSide Thoughts: Mariners wake up, have best week of season
The Mariners have turned things around in the last week, and leave Colorado with a .500 record thanks in larger part to Cal Raleigh aka Big Dumper
Despite the brutal start and concerning trends, there was always the belief that this 2024 Mariners squad was too talented to be this bad. After a dominant week that saw Seattle go 5-1 and outscore their opponents 35-9, the Mariners appear to have found themselves.
After two weeks of bad boring baseball, the Mariners showed their potential, just in time for some massive showdowns.
SeaSide Thoughts: Week 4
The pitching staff is going to be the best in baseball
I truly don't feel like this is hyperbole. Going back to the Cubs series, the Mariners starters have thrown a quality start in 8/9 games, and Kirby was pulled in Sunday’s doubleheader after 5 shutout innings due to not being 100%.
Most importantly, I hope Kirby is ok, but that is some flat-out domination, considering the Reds' talent on offense and the wackiness that Coors Field typically provides.
Before the season started, we knew that the rotation would be the backbone of this team, and in the past two weeks, they've exceeded expectations. It's early, but Kirby, Logan Gilbert and Bryce Miller all look like potential all-stars. While Emerson Hancock has been inconsistent, he's been pretty solid as a #5 guy lately.
Whether he sticks in the rotation remains to be seen, as Bryan Woo and Dallas Keuchel are looking spectacular and pushing for opportunities now that they're healthy and warmed up.
This rotation will be special, and maybe deep enough that Dipoto can finally feel comfortable at making a major splash trade, if the opportunity presents itself.
Welcome back JP and Julio
Of all the concerning parts of the team's 6-10 beginning, arguably the most concerning part for me was the brutal start by JP Crawford and Julio Rodriguez. Even with the additions of Mitch Garver, Mitch Haniger, and Jorge Polanco, it felt like this offense would ride or die on how far JP, Julio, and Cal Raleigh could take them.
Before the Cincinnati series, both JP and Julio were not only hitting under .200, but they were in the top 30 for worst WRC+ players in the league through 16 games. They are not all the way back to their 2023 star level performances, but they are heating up.
In his last five games, Crawford is slashing .273/.360/.724 with a 426ft monster triple to help the Mariners finish off a series win in Colorado. While I do believe that 2023 was probably the peak of Crawford's powers, that doesn't mean he can't still be a cornerstone player. If he can keep up the way he played last week, the Mariners offense will continue to heat up.
Another reason why the M’s offense is continuing to heat up, is that Julio is starting to go nuclear, but in a unique way. His defense and base stealing has been dominant for the most part this season, and while he had been heating up the last two weeks, his last 6 games have reminded me of a Mariners legend that used to roam in right field.
In Julio's last 6 games, he is slashing a wild .464/.483/1.019, and has 24 hits in 22 games, on pace for 177 hits this season. These are unbelievable numbers and while Julio should threaten to hit well over .280 this season, his lack of power is absolutely stunning.
Through 22 games, Julio has yet to homer and has only two doubles. It's cold in April, and Julio has shown to be a slow starter, but his lack of power has to pick up soon, right? Look out when it does.
Cause Cal Raleigh is BIG DUMPING!
If JP and Julio can keep heating up, they will make a dynamic trio, because Cal Raleigh is making his push as the best catcher in baseball.
Not only is Cal catching arguably the best rotation in baseball, but he has been the ultimate power source for a dormant Mariners offense. In 19 games, Cal is hitting .258 which is a massive jump from the previous seasons, and has slugged 5 home runs so far.
If he can stay healthy, we're talking about a catcher who could hit .250 and crush 40 home runs while being a star behind the plate. Please extend this man, Mr. Stanton!
The next two weeks get real
The Mariners needed a jolt, and they took care of business against teams that are probably not going to be good this season. That level of competition is about to pick up significantly.
After catching back up to the Texas Rangers in the standings, the two will collide in the Lone Star State in a battle for first place. After the pivotal division battle, the Mariners will have a tough 6 game homestand against the defending NL Champion Arizona Diamondbacks (happy Geno reunion) and then the current NL favorite Atlanta Braves.
This dominant pitching staff is about to face some of the best, and fastest offenses in baseball, while the offense will likely be facing the best pitching the Snakes and Braves have to offer.
By the end of next week, we should get a clear view of whether the Mariners are contenders or pretenders at they head into May.
Go M’s