It’s been a brutal week for the Seattle Mariners.
Julio is frustrated, but he remains confident despite the Seattle Mariners’ problems
After a clear win over the Mets last weekend, Seattle began a nine-game road trip with two seemingly winnable series. But the M’s could only win one of six games.
Once again, the weak offense was the main culprit, as Seattle scored three or fewer runs in all five losses.
During the five losses, the Mariners managed just a .139 batting average, a 30.2% strikeout rate and scored just nine total runs. In two of those games, they faced AL Cy Young Award nominee Tarik Skubal and NL Rookie of the Year favorite Paul Skeenes, but they also failed to get to Detroit in two bullpen games.
The poor week on offense was made worse by inconsistency from the pitching staff. The Mariners never had a chance against Skubal, as George Kirby allowed a career-low 11 runs (poor defense didn’t help, either). Then the Mariners’ strong pitchers blew late leads in two straight games after the starter went seven scoreless innings, including Andrés Muñoz, who allowed his first hit in 12 appearances – a game-winning two-run, two-out home run in the eighth inning on Thursday against struggling Detroit shortstop Javier Báez.
The Mariners avoided the worst-case scenario on Sunday and showed some life as they left Pittsburgh with a win thanks to three home runs and a turning point by Kirby.
According to FanGraphs, Seattle (64-61) currently has a 23 percent chance of making the playoffs.
One-run problems
When the Mariners have been at their best over the past few seasons, they have excelled in close games. The bullpen has been reliable of late and the offense seems to find a way in high-pressure situations, but that hasn’t been the case recently.
They lost two one-point games to Detroit last week and are 4-11 in one-point games since reaching their season-high 10-game lead in the AL West on June 18. Seattle had a previous record of 17-7 in the same situations.
Table overview
The Mariners began the week tied for first place in the American League West, but are now at a season-worst four games behind the Astros. Houston took advantage of an easy schedule, sweeping the Rays and picking up two of three wins against the White Sox. The Astros have won 10 of their last 11 games, while the Mariners are 5-6 in their last 11 games. Third-place Texas is quickly falling out of the picture after a 1-6 week, trailing by 12 games.
Seattle is 5 1/2 games behind the Royals for the third AL wild-card spot. The Red Sox are also 3 1/2 games back. Kansas City is three games ahead of Seattle with a 4-2 week, while Boston is 2 1/2 games ahead with a 4-3 record.
Houston and Boston begin a three-game series on Monday.
Who is hot
• Bryan Woo: After putting together perhaps the best outing of his career last weekend with seven shutout innings against the Phillies, Woo has followed up with two solid starts, including another seven shutout innings against the Pirates. However, the 24-year-old right-hander has not won in either game. In his last three starts, Woo has a 1.31 ERA with 19 strikeouts and just three runs and one walk in 20 2/3 innings.
Next
The Mariners face one of their toughest series of the season, finishing their three-game road trip with the Dodgers, the leading team in the NL West and the second-best record in the NL at 73-52.
It’s hard to find any major weaknesses in Los Angeles. The team ranks in the top five in baseball in home runs, on-base percentage, OPS, WHIP and opposing batting average, and is also seventh in ERA.
The Dodgers are currently dealing with some notable injuries. Eight-time All-Star first baseman Freddie Freeman is being evaluated day-to-day since he suffered a jammed finger on Sunday, and All-Star starter Tyler Glasnow was placed on the 15-day injured list on Friday. Veteran infielders Max Muncy and Tommy Edman both could be activated by the IL on MondayEdman, who was acquired from the Cardinals in a trade last month, has not played this season.
More about the Seattle Mariners
• Bryce Miller’s rapid progress is not normal, explains Gilbert
• Morosi: It feels like the Mariners’ season is “slipping away”
• The Mariners’ powerful young player climbs up the rankings
• Salk: Should Julio Rodríguez take a leaf out of Randy Arozarena’s book?
• Video: Mariners Breakdown – How much trouble is Seattle in?
