The sting and stench of Dodgers champagne being popped off at T-Mobile Park doesn't quite hit the heart as bad now does it? After a brutal home sweep that saw the Mariners falter out of the playoff standings, as well as showing how far they are from LA's caliber of contender, the boys needed a pick me up.
HELLO AND THANK YOU OAKLAND!
Just what the doctor ordered, the Mariners went to Oakland, brought more fans than the A's had, and had one of the more business-like sweeps you'll see all year. The pitching was very good. It wasn't the best performances from Woo, Castillo, and Kirby, but they were all good enough to get the win. Congrats again to Luis Castillo's incredible strikeout accomplishment. He continues to be the Rock for this organization, and has clearly shown he's the 2nd best pitcher in the American League in 2023. Clean up some of those midseason dinger problems, and the Cy Young will probably be his in 2024.
The bottom of the lineup showed up, as Caballero and Canzone each woke up from slumbers to help propel the sweep. Canzone has some of the most horrific AB's I've seen all year, but nobody on this team hits moon ball homers like Canzone.
Speaking of power, the traditional star M's brought power to a lifeless ballpark, outscoring the A's 18-5. Julio joined rarified air with the 30/30/100 club. Cal Raleigh was an absolute all-star in the series, gunning down base runners left and right, while hitting his 29th bomb of the season. Raleigh now has a 6 home run cushion lead for tops in baseball as a catcher. He's clearly taking the mantle as best catcher in the American League.
The sweep brought to an end an absolute drubbing of a season series that saw Seattle beat Oakland 12 games out of 13.
As we bid adieu to one of the worst baseball teams ever assembled, so begins arguably the most intense, nail-biting, emotional 10 games of the Mariners franchise.