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The Mariners Should Prepare to Play Against a Stronger Oakland Team!
By Christine Navarro
Mariners vs Athletics: The Lineup
Oakland has made even more changes in their lineup than Seattle. These are the shifts from the players forecasted to start in 2024.
Catcher: Shea Langeliers (last year listed as DH)
1B: Ryan Noda rather than Jesus Aguilar
2B: Zach Gelof rather than Tony Kemp
3B: Jordan Diaz rather than Jonah Bride
SS: The same, Aledmys Diaz
LF: The same, Seth Brown
CF: Esteury Ruiz rather than Christian Pache
RF: The same, Brent Rooker
DH: Tyler Soderstrom rather than Shea Langeliers
Brent Rooker caught my eye last season, his first with Oakland. He had a batting average of .246, an OPS of .817, and 30 home runs. Zach Gelof is another promising player. Gelof debuted in July 2023 and had a strong season with a BA of .267, an OPS of .840, and 14 home runs. MLB Network's The Shredder names Zach as the 9th-best player in the "Top 10 Second Baseman".
the Mariners have no advantage over the Athletics in the projected cumulative batting average, according to B-R. The Mariners have .245 and Oakland has .241.
Mariners vs Athletics: Substitute and Utility Players
I have Dylan Moore, Luis Urias, Sam Haggerty, and Dominic Canzone listed in this category for the Mariners. Urias may start at third base. I do not know. Their cumulative BA is .237. One of my colleagues recently wrote that he thinks that some of these utility players may be cut.
Oakland lists Carlos Perez, Kyle McCann, Lawrence Butler, Nick Allen, and JJ Bleday (I like this name). Their cumulative batting average is .231. Seattle has no advantage here either.
Statistically, the Mariners and Athletics have a similar chance to win games. The Seattle starting pitchers give our team an advantage. Last year, the Athletics did terribly, The Mariners beat them 12 games to one, outscoring the Athletics by a combined total of 68-25. This year, the Mariners will play the Athletics May 10-12 at home; June 4-7 there; September 2-5 there; and the last three games of the regular season at home, September 27-29.
Who knows what will shift during Spring Training or the 2024 season! Go Mariners!