I wasn't going to do it. In fact, I was going to keep my mouth shut until the time was right. But, my good friend Danny Gibson, told me last week that I should start up. And being the only fan, besides Marc Lefort of a west coast team, you don't get to hear about them. Well, listen up!
After Sweeping in Seattle this week against the Boston Red Sox the Seattle Mariners are only 5 games back of the LA Angels, who hold a tie for the best record in the American League as of today. Every analyst and their mother picked the M's to finish dead last in their division this year and with a newly fond pop in the lineup and the reemergence of a young pitching staff, today I am proclaiming the Seattle Mariners as legitimate playoff contenders. The M's are only 2.5 back of the streaking Cleveland Indians in the Wild Card, and if Felix Hernandez can find his strength sooner than later, watch out! I wasn't even going to get into the fact that the Mariners are 6 games better than the lowly New York Yankees, by the way have the Yanks reached the .500 mark yet? As much as I hate on Mike Hargrove, he has done something to this team this year and I do not even care to ask, but it's working. Granted, the Mariners have had a tough time in their division winning only 12 of 22 games. But , are 12-7 against the AL East and 8-5 verses the Sox and Yanks. Here are some of the key components of why the Mariners are playing so well right now:
1) J.J Putz is making a name for himself this year converting on all of his 22 saves opportunities this year. Has only given up just 15 hits in 39+ innings, as well as, have a strike out to walk ratio of 40:6. Not to mention an ERA of 0.99!
2) Ichiro is being, well, Ichiro. He's in the top 5 in the AL in runs, hits, stolen bases, and batting average. Already at 114 hits this year, the kid just finds a way and to have a guy like him at the top of your lineup, well, all I know is he's going to be a wealthy man after this season when his contract is up.
3) The great play of Jose Lopez and Jose Vidro have helped out a team that has struggled to get on base over the last 3 years. This is helping the likes of Adrian Beltre, Jose Guillen and Richie Sexson not to have pressure on them to have to hit the ball out of the yard every time up.
4) The bullpen has been outstanding with J.J. Putz and company helping out a young pitching staff that has been thrown to the dogs and all that Hargrove is asking for is get into the 6th and we'll be fine. And it has worked. The main need if the Mariners are really going to make a run this year is their starting pitching staff is fair at best. And like the saying goes, "Offense can win you games but pitching will win you championships."
Now,I am going on the record of saying that I believe that the Red Sox and Angels will be fighting for the rights to go to the World Series in October. But, I am also going on record of saying, I would love for the M's to get a shot at one of them!
After Sweeping in Seattle this week against the Boston Red Sox the Seattle Mariners are only 5 games back of the LA Angels, who hold a tie for the best record in the American League as of today. Every analyst and their mother picked the M's to finish dead last in their division this year and with a newly fond pop in the lineup and the reemergence of a young pitching staff, today I am proclaiming the Seattle Mariners as legitimate playoff contenders. The M's are only 2.5 back of the streaking Cleveland Indians in the Wild Card, and if Felix Hernandez can find his strength sooner than later, watch out! I wasn't even going to get into the fact that the Mariners are 6 games better than the lowly New York Yankees, by the way have the Yanks reached the .500 mark yet? As much as I hate on Mike Hargrove, he has done something to this team this year and I do not even care to ask, but it's working. Granted, the Mariners have had a tough time in their division winning only 12 of 22 games. But , are 12-7 against the AL East and 8-5 verses the Sox and Yanks. Here are some of the key components of why the Mariners are playing so well right now:
1) J.J Putz is making a name for himself this year converting on all of his 22 saves opportunities this year. Has only given up just 15 hits in 39+ innings, as well as, have a strike out to walk ratio of 40:6. Not to mention an ERA of 0.99!
2) Ichiro is being, well, Ichiro. He's in the top 5 in the AL in runs, hits, stolen bases, and batting average. Already at 114 hits this year, the kid just finds a way and to have a guy like him at the top of your lineup, well, all I know is he's going to be a wealthy man after this season when his contract is up.
3) The great play of Jose Lopez and Jose Vidro have helped out a team that has struggled to get on base over the last 3 years. This is helping the likes of Adrian Beltre, Jose Guillen and Richie Sexson not to have pressure on them to have to hit the ball out of the yard every time up.
4) The bullpen has been outstanding with J.J. Putz and company helping out a young pitching staff that has been thrown to the dogs and all that Hargrove is asking for is get into the 6th and we'll be fine. And it has worked. The main need if the Mariners are really going to make a run this year is their starting pitching staff is fair at best. And like the saying goes, "Offense can win you games but pitching will win you championships."
Now,I am going on the record of saying that I believe that the Red Sox and Angels will be fighting for the rights to go to the World Series in October. But, I am also going on record of saying, I would love for the M's to get a shot at one of them!
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