The Braves designated 38-year old reliever Bob Wickman for assignment yesterday after recent struggles forced him out of the closer's role. Just two years ago in 2005, Wickman was among the best relievers in the game as he recorded 45 saves with a 2.47 era with the Indians. If I'm not mistaken, I believe he went to the All Star Game that year as well. Though he's blown 6 saves in 26 opportunities, his era is still very respectable at 3.92. With Bavasi trying to find a veteran arm / grandfather for the bullpen, don't be too surprised if he is targeted by the M's. If the Mariners do acquire Wickman, recent call-up and Wickman's brother from another mother Rick White would likely be sent back down or even released. White was called up when it was determined that John Parrish could not get the job done in the bullpen.
8/24/07
Nightcap: 8/24/07 @ Rangers
And the MARINERS are in the WIN COLUMN! Another victory for the M's as they took the second game of this four game set in Texas 4-2. On this very hot night, Felix Hernandez only went six innings while throwing just 84 pitches; but he was filthy. He allowed two earned on three hits while sending seven back to the dugout. Sherrill, Morrow, and Putz pitched the final three innings combining to allow just one hit and no runs, with Putz getting his AL leading 37th save of the season. The Mariner offense was once again, solid, as they again reached double-digit hits with thirteen. Everyone had atleast one hit except for Richie Sexson who surprisingly did not strikeout in any of his four at bats tonight. We have gotten used to scoring early and tonight was no exception. Jose Guillen hit a solo funk blast, his nineteenth, to put the M's ahead 1-0 in the first inning. Singles by Ichiro and Guillen also plated a run each in the second and seventh respectively.
This month, the Mariners have atleast ten hits in 15 of 21 games and have scored in the first inning in 9 of 21 games (9 of last 16).
Tomorrow's Starters: Horacio Ramirez (8-4, 7.15) vs. Jamey Wright (3-5, 4.11)
Umpires: HP--Tim Tschida 1B--Jim Joyce 2B--Jim Wolf 3B--Mike Dimuro
Time: 2:39
Attendance: 32,716
Weather: 93 degrees, partly cloudy
Wind: 15 mph, in from right.
Why are the M's winning?
Throughout the year I've constantly heard doubts about how the Mariner's have managed to play this well throughout this year. People have said that we are "playing above our heads" and that we will "fade". Well it's 3/4 of the way through the season now and the Mariners still haven't "faded" and a lot of people still seem to think that the Mariner's aren't really this good. A lot has been made of the formulas that show that the Mariner's are indeed outperforming what the stats point to as their probable record at this point in the season. According to The Hardball Times the Mariners should currently be 65-60 instead of 72-53, pointing out that we have currently won 7 more games than expected. Well anybody who has read some of my posts on the myspace groups will know what I think of stats as a predictor of what will actually happen at any given point in time. Personally I believe that baseball has too many subjective human factors that affect it's play to be able to try and predict what will happen on any give day through stats that try and break the game down objectively. However, in this case I will offer you some stats that support points as to why the Mariners may be "playing above their heads".
The first one I am going to talk about is simple and any moron can calculate it and that is the fact that our entire lineup has the ability to drive in runs. This is very simple to see by the fact that our entire starting lineup now has over 50 RBIs. This is the first time this has happened in Mariner history and I'm willing to ponder a guess that this isn't all too common in MLB history (I welcome people to prove that wrong since that is just an extrapolation I made myself with common sense). Here is the Mariner's normal lineup and their current RBI totals:
Ichiro Suzuki 53 RBI
Jose Vidro 51 RBI
Jose Guillen 79 RBI
Raul Ibanez 83 RBI
Adrian Beltre 75 RBI
Richie Sexson 62 RBI
Kenji Johjima 51 RBI
Jose Lopez 52 RBI
Yuniesky Betancourt 51 RBI
Now say what you want about these stats but I'm going to give you my opinion as to what it means. Simply the fact that our entire lineup has over 50 RBIs points to the fact that anybody in our lineup can produce runs and that over the course of the season any time one of our big boppers, who are supposed to produce throughout the season, has been in a slump they have been picked up by the rest of the guys in our lineup. Couple this with the fact that no matter who is up late in a game they are very capable of knocking in critical runs and you get a winning team that could be playing better than their stats point to.
The second thing I'm going to talk about is a combination of things and isn't quite as simple but they are all offense related. Now, anybody who has watched the M's on a regular basis this year will know that they are aggressive at the plate and don't draw many walks. In fact the M's are last in the AL in walks by quite a margin. However, their aggressiveness has had other benefits. They are second in batting average at .288, which isn't a very telling stat. However, I will point to two other stats that could point to how the M's offense has kept them playing well and winning at a rate greater than expected. The first is that they are third in the AL in BA with RISP at .286 which essentially says that with their aggressiveness at the plate they are getting hits when it is needed to score runs. The second is that they are tied for second in the AL in BABIP (Batting Average on Balls In Play) at .312. This is a very telling stat because we already know that the Mariners are aggressive at the plate and put the ball in play. However, this stat tells us that this aggressiveness is paying off because when they hit the ball in play they are getting hits at a more than acceptable rate. So their aggressiveness is not going for naught because they are batting at a high clip when they use it to put the ball in play. So essentially despite a lack of implied plate discipline for the Mariners they are using this aggressiveness to fuel their offense to be among the tops in the AL. They have production throughout their lineup and these stats could very well be reason's why. Aggressiveness is good as long as it doesn't come back and blow up in your face and that has yet to happen with the Mariners. So far their aggressiveness has produced an offense that is scoring a lot of runs and is helping them to continue to win games despite predictions of an impending "regression to the mean".
I offer these things on the offensive side of the ball along with an improved starting rotation, amazing young bullpen and very good defense as things that will support this offense on the way and lead to W's that the stats otherwise wouldn't have brought out. I welcome your opinions...Tell me I'm a god who is the smartest guy on earth. Tell me I'm an idiot who doesn't know what I'm talking about. However, this is what I've extrapolated from basic stats as to why this team is doing so well this year even when people still can't seem to accept it.
8/23/07
Nightcap: 8/23/07 @ Rangers
And the MARINERS are in the WIN COLUMN! After failing to complete the sweep of the Twins, the Mariners stormed back with a 9-4 come-from-behind win over the Rangers who scored 39 runs in a double dip yesterday in Baltimore. The Mariners struck for the first run of the ballgame in the second inning when Kenji Johjima singled in Rauuuuuuul Ibanez. The Rangers came back with a two run shot in the next inning off the bat of Brad Wilkerson and a solo shot in the fourth from Jarrod Saltalamacchia. They scored thirty unanswered runs in the first game yesterday against the Orioles, but thankfully only three tonight as the Mariners countered with a huge seven run inning in the sixth. In that inning, Guillen had a solo funk blast, an rbi single for Lopez, a three-rbi, bases clearing double for Ichiro, and a two-run funk blast from Mr. Vidro to put the M's up 8-4. A Richie Sexson rbi single in the ninth capped off the night as the Mariners once again advance to nineteen games over .500. Jeff Weaver had another quality outing going six innings allowing three earned runs on seven hits with only one walk. O'Flaherty allowed one, and Green and Putz closed out the final 1.2 innings. In four August starts, Jeff Weaver is 4-0 while only allowing ten earned runs.
Tomorrow's Starters: Felix Hernandez (9-6, 3.94) vs. Kevin Millwood (8-10, 5.39)
Umpires: HP--Mike Dimuro (5/10 name coolness) 1B--Tim Tschida (8/10 name coolness, pronounced like "Cheetah") 2B--Jim Joyce (3/10 name coolness) 3B--Jim Wolf (4/10 name coolness) (20/40 crew name coolness)
Time: 2:49
Attendance: 26,963 (And none of them can pronounce Saltalamacchia yet)
Weather: 93 degrees, clear (Niehaus hates hot and humid weather)
Wind: 18 mph, in from right (So how the hell did Jose Vidro hit a homerun to rightfield?!)
Parrish's Time with the M's has Perished
The Pershishable Food Item known as John Parrish will likely be forced out of his Mariner's uni just a few weeks after putting it on when he switched clubhouses in Baltimore in a bizzaro move made by Bill Bavasi. Immediately following the move, every M's fan I know questioned the move as I did, asking why would we need a fourth left-hander in the bullpen with an era of nearly 5 and a half? The answer to that question was supposebly that we would somehow benefit from his veteran presence. Uhhhh no. We didn't. And the only one who may have been insane enough to think that was Bill Bavasi. It's unclear whether Parrish will be DFA'ed or head to the minors, but atleast he won't be ruining anymore games for us. My thought is that he will be DFA'ed, and consensus seems to be that Rick White, who's 39 years old, will be called up from Tacoma in Part II 0f Bavasi's hell-bent attempt to bring in a grandfatherly figure to tell war stories to the youngsters in the bullpen.
Thursday Quote: Pathway to the Future
The American writer and cultural anthropologist Mary Catherine Bateson once said:
"The past empowers the present, and the sweeping footsteps leading to this present mark the pathways to the future."
This season, the Mariners have tread along a surprising path of success which most thought we wouldn't be on for a couple more years. Some have questioned whether this team can continue their winning ways for the rest of this season and possibly into the playoffs, and many have cited the next twenty games on the schedule as a roadblock. Is there a tough road ahead? Most certainly. But can we succeed? There's no doubt in my mind. We've not only proven this season that we can fight an up-hill battle, but we've shown that once we get near the top of the hill, we keep clawing and grinding our way to the top. We have a head of steam that is fully capable of propelling us through the roadblock ahead of us and into the promise land; and like Mary Bates said, the past empowers the future.
8/22/07
Who Would You Want To Face?
If the season ended today, the Mariners would be assured a spot in the playoffs and a taste of the postseason for the first time since 116 wins in 2001.
Looking at the field of contenders still in play, in your mind, who presents the best matchup for the Mariners? (NOTE: This is strictly a look at the remaining contenders for postseason play not an assumption of potential possible matchups.)
THE CONTENDERS
The Yankees - If there were ever a year to want to face off against George's crew, this might be it. The rotation has been shaky and inconsistent and their ace is....Chin-Ming Wang? That's hard to swallow when you can also trot out your choice of guys by the name of Clemens, Mussina, Pettite, and the youngster Hughes. The bullpen is a whos-who of no names short of the most dominant closer of all time (sorry Trevor). The bats have kept the Yankees afloat and behind A-Rod's monster campaign, Matsui, Posada, Abreu, Jeter, Cano, Cabrera, and a rotating cast including Giambi, Betemit, and Co.
VERDICT: Thumbs up. I'll take my chances that the Yanks are having an off year by their own standards.
The Tigers - The Tigers should absolutely be in the catbird's seat in the Central with their lineup but injuries and inconsistency have slowed their pursuit of back to back trips to an October payoff. Ordonez has not only returned to form but he is having a career year and should get serious consideration as the favorite for MVP. Sheffield showed M's fans why he might be even more feared than Magglio when he parked a grand slam into the bullpen during the Tigers last trip to town. The arms are pure power. Seriously, the Tigers rotation is scary when it's right. Zumaya is back, albeit in a limited capacity but the bullpen is now at full strength for the first time since May.
VERDICT: Thumbs down. The Tigers have too many X-factors. You better believe that their cold streak is well timed and won't be continuing.
The Indians - Cleveland and the M's seem to have intertwined fates this season after their snowed out first week. It would be fitting to see them meet in the playoffs at some point. Chances are good however that we won't see it. The Indians come to town at the end of the regular season and will make up one of those snow days with a double dip. The Indians are chock full of young talent and should be a threat in the next few years, but this team doesn't have enough to go deep in the playoffs.
VERDICT: Thumbs up. I would take on the Indians any day of the week. Too bad this won't likely happen.
The Red Sox - Ooh. This matchup has all the makings of something special. On paper, the Red Sox seem to be the clear favorite. But there is that nagging issue of their recent troubles at Safeco. The M's have had success limiting the damage that Papi and Manny have inflicted. Perdroya is a nice spark plug in the David Eckstein mold but Julio Lugo and Jason Varitek are no longer serious threats with the lumber. The rotation, if healthy, doesn't need to go any more than three deep with Beckett, Dice-K, and Schilling. Throw Tim Wakefield in their in any roll and a 7-8-9 combo of Del Carmen, Gagne, and Papelbon and the game gets markedly more difficult.
VERDICT: Thumbs down. If for no other reason than I am too young to have ulcers from watching David Ortiz kill his former club....David Arias. how far you've come!
The Angels - They are on a mission and show no signs of slowing down. The series beginning on Monday may set the tone for the final month. The Angels play a game of constant motion, led by Chone Figgins and his amazing season. The Angels possess speed throughout the lineup and one of the most unheralded group of arms in the game. In some ways, I think that the difference between the Angels and M's is found only in the quality of starting pitching. Advantage Angels in that regard.
VERDICT: Thumbs up. And I couldn't tell you why!
What's the verdict for you?
Nightcap: 8/22/07 @ Twins
The Twins took the third and final game of this three game series in the Metrodome with an 8-4 win over the M's. It was a rough day for Miguel Batista who was touched up for eight earned runs on nine hits in just two innings. Michael Cuddyer blasted what I believe to be the third Twins grandslam vs the M's this season. That came in the first inning, and was followed by three more in that inning and then one more in the second. Ryan Rowland-Smith then threw four innings of scoreless and hitless ball striking out six and walking two. The Mariners finally got on the board in the seventh via funk blast by Ben Broussard. Later in the inning, Yu-Bet tripled in Willie Bloomquist for the second run. In the next inning Guillen also tripled in a run followed by a sac-fly by Ibanez scoring Guillen for the fourth run. Richie Sexson, who homered last night, went 0 for 4 with two k's.
Tomorrow's Starters: Jeff Weaver (5-10, 5.57) vs. Kameron Loe (6-9, 5.56) Hopefully the Mariners will be able to take three of four from the last place Rangers who may be tired out after getting into record books in Baltimore. For anyone who didn't know, they scored the most runs in a game since 1897 in a 30-3 rout of the Orioles in the first game of a double header Wednesday night. It was one of those games where you remember exactly where you were when it happened. I was sleeping for most of the game and then woke up during the ninth inning. I looked at the score with my sleepy-eyes and did a double take when I saw the score; 24-3 at the time. I then watched Paul Shuey, a member of the worst bullpen I've ever seen, proceed to give up 6 more runs before the suffering was over. So now I'm sitting here watching the second game of a double header between these two teams, with Texas up 3-0 after two. The record-breaking rape game took almost three and a half hours and double headers can always be tiring. It may be a good thing to play Texas tomorrow...
Umpires: HP--Jeff Kellogg. 1B--Jerry Layne. 2B--Bill Miller 3B--Chris Guccione
Time: 2:16
Attendance: 29,881 (That's more like it, this number was well over 40,000 according to Yahoo
the last two games. Major BS)
Weather: INDOORS
8/21/07
The Team That Plays Together....
...stays together.
So clearly by this point in the season, we have talked statistics to death. Even the most casual fan that tunes in to watch an M's game these days is compelled to watch the events unfold because....wait for it...this team plays like a real TEAM.
So much has been made of Jose Vidro's lack of pop, Raul Ibanez's lack of fielding prowess, and the Mack Truck sized hole in Richie Sexson's swing that we have forgotten to focus on what makes this team special.
They like to play together.
2001 was the last glimpse Seattle fans had of a true "team" atmosphere. A different hero every night. The birth of "Sodo Mojo" and "Sanshin". Hey remember "two outs so what?". As a fan, I find my eyes drawn to the expressions not of the players on the field, but the players on the bench. Ben Broussard, who could easily see significant playing time on another club, smiles brighter than anyone when Richie Sexson goes deep.
It is not necessary for players to like one another in order to produce on field wins. But it sure doesn't hurt.
Let's not forget, as fans, to savor the ride and look beyond the box score at what is happening to baseball in Seattle.
Nightcap: 8/21/07 @ Twins
And the MARINERS are in the WIN COLUMN! Eighteen hits and seven runs were more than enough to take the second game of this series against the Twins 7-2. The Mariners have now won five in a row and a lot of their last many, which is extremely important knowing that we're in for some tough games coming up in the next few weeks. Once again, the M's jumped out in front after Adrian Beltre (20) and Richie Sexson (21) launched back-to-back solo funk blasts in the second inning off of starter Scott Baker. Before the Twins could strike back, Jose Vidro doubled in the third Mariner run in the sixth inning. Minnesota didn't get on the board until the bottom of that inning, when Michael Cuddyer singled off of Jarrod Washburn to plate the Twins' only two runs of the contest. The M's put it out of reach in the eighth with four more runs from a fielder's choice, a throwing error, a double from Beltre, and a single from Johjima. Every Mariner in the starting lineup had a hit in this one, three each from Ichiro and Vidro at the top of the lineup. Jarrod Washburn pitched a very good game allowing two earned on five hits and two walks while striking out five in six innings. Morrow and Sherrill pitched the final three innings responsible for only one hit, one walk, and two strikeouts. These last two games served as good revenge against two pitchers that dominated us last week in Garza and Baker.
Tomorrow's Starters: Miguel Batista (13-8, 4.14) vs. Carlos Silva (9-12, 4.17)
Umpires: HP--Chris Guccione 1B--Jeff Kellogg 2B--Jerry Layne 3B--Bill Miller
Time: 2:49
Attendance: 42,373 (I swear they make up these numbers)
Weather: INDOORS
Mariners Projected Starters
I looked at our next 5 games and looked to see who was starting and who they were going up against. Then, I got curious. I kept the pattern going and found out who was pitching in quite possibly two of our biggest series' left.
August 27-29 vs. LA Angels (@Safeco Field)
August 27 - Miguel Batista
Miguel has pitched against the Angels three times this year.
April 20. - Loss
6 innings pitched
6 runs, all earned
10 hits allowed, 1 home run
Struck out 2, walked 1
May 28. - Win
5 1/3 innings pitched
4 runs, all earned
9 hits allowed, no home runs
Struck out 4, walked 4
July 30. - Masterful win, and most important start to date.
7 innings pitched
No runs
4 hits allowed, no home runs
Struck out 4, walked none
Miguel Batista's season record vs. the Angels (2-1)
August 28 - Jeff Weaver
Jeff has pitched against the Angels two times this year.
April 22. - Loss
3 innings pitched
3 runs, all earned
7 hits allowed, no home runs
Struck out 3, walked none
July 31. - Loss
4 innings pitched
6 runs, all earned
7 hits allowed, 2 home runs
Struck out 3, walked 3
Jeff Weaver's season record vs. the Angels (0-2)
August 29 - Felix Hernandez
Felix has pitched against the Angels three times this year.
May 15 - No decision
3 2/3 innings pitched
3 runs, all earned
7 hits allowed, no home runs
Struck out 5, walked 3
May 30 - Loss
6 innings pitched
7 runs, all earned
9 hits allowed, 3 home runs
Struck out 5, walked 1
August 1 - No decision
8 innings pitched
4 runs, all earned
6 hits allowed, 1 home run
Struck out 7, walked none
Felix Hernandez's season record vs. the Angels (0-1 with 2 no decisions)
September 3-5 vs. the NY Yankees (@Yankee Stadium)
September 3 - Felix Hernandez
Felix hasn't pitched against the Yankees this year.
Felix Hernandez's season record vs. the Yankees (0-0)
Felix Hernandez's season record on the road (4-3)
September 4 - Horacio Ramirez
Horacio has pitched against the Yankees one time this year.
May 13 - Win
6 1/3 innings pitched
1 run, earned
5 hits allowed, no home runs
Struck out 1, walked 1
Horacio Ramirez's season record vs. the Yankees (1-0)
Horacio Ramirez's season record on the road (2-3)
September 5 - Jarrod Washburn
Jarrod has pitched against the Yankees two times this year.
May 6 -Loss
5 1/3 innings pitched
3 runs, all earned
7 hits allowed, no home runs
Struck out 3, walked 2
May 11 - Win
8 innings pitched
No runs
6 hits allowed, no home runs
Struck out 6, walked 1
Jarrod Washburn's season record vs. the Yankees (1-1)
Jarrod Washburn's season record on the road (4-3)
8/20/07
Nightcap: 8/20/07 @ Twins
And the MARINERS are in the WIN COLUMN! If you would have told me that Horacio Ramirez would have given up four runs in the first and Garza would have pitched seven strong innings, I would have believed you. But if you would have told me those roles would be reversed, I would have went into a multi-hour laughing fit. The roles WERE reversed, and Horacio actually pitched 7.1 innings giving up four earned runs on nine hits and walking ZERO! Thats right, NO WALKS! And it was on the ROAD! Now did the Mariners put up the run support that Horacio usually gets? Yes, and in a big way. The Mariners mashed tonight by racking up nine runs on fifteen hits, including four funk blasts. Ibanez (14) and Sexson (20) both hit two run funk blasts off of Matt Garza in the first inning to shoot the M's out to a 4-0 lead before the Twins made it to the dish. In the third inning, the Mariners continued their slugfest at the expense of Garza as Ibanez (15) blasted his second of the game and a major league leading ninth of the month. A few batters later, Kenji Johjima followed suit and parked a 96 mph high fastball in the left field seats. At the end of the night, every M except Jose Vidro had a hit, although he did walk once. Sean Green capped off the night with 1.2 innings of scoreless, hitless, baserunnerless ball as the Mariners won the first game of the series 9-4.
Tomorrow's Starters: Jarrod Washburn (8-10, 4.16) vs. Scott Baker (6-5, 4.53)
Umpires: HP--Bill Miller (Guillen wasn't happy, 1/10 name coolness) 1B--Chris Guccione (7-10 name coolness) 2B--Jeff Kellogg (4-10 name coolness) 3B--Jerry Layne (4-19 name coolness) (Overall crew name coolness = 16/40)
Time: 2:23
Attendance: 31,755 (I didn't think it was nearly that many)
Weather: INDOORS
Season Outlook: Updated Here: IMPORTANT SERIES
Looking over the MLB schedule for today, I noticed something that I think all people should look at. For the next 3 days the Yankees and the Angels will square off in Angel Stadium. The Yankees have a losing record on the road, and the Angels play extremely well at home.
With the Yankees .5 behind us, and the Angels 2 games ahead of us, it really looks like either team winning is a plus. However, I want the Angels to sweep. The Yankees are running on an extremely lucky streak as of late. I think that if the Angels sweep, that just might be the stick that breaks the Yankees back. They are averaging a ridiculous 7 runs a game in the 2nd half, whereas the Major League average is between 4 and 5 runs. Statistically, they have been two or three runs better than every team. The Angels are averaging just over 5 runs a game.
Realistically, the Mariners are in a win-win, assuming that we beat the Twins; taking 2 of 3 or a sweep, but I would rather have one team lose the total series, which distances the Mariners no matter what.
I really don't care how you want the series to turn out, that's your thought for yourself. As for me, I'll be rooting for the Angels.
Go Mariners!
A Slice of History and How the Mariners could have been From New York
Though the city of Seattle has been a place of inhabitance for Native American Indians for nearly 10,000 years, it was officially settled on November 14th, 1851 by Arthur A. Denny. Originally, Denny and his crew decided to call the area New York, but was then changed to Duwamps, and then finally to Seattle as an anglicized version of Chief Sealth. Chief Sealth had been the chief of the Suquamish and Duwamish Native American tribes in the area.
Chief Sealth was born in 1786, supposedly on Blake Island, Washington, where his father was the chief of the Suquamish tribe and his mother was the chief of the Duwamish tribe. He was known to be a fierce and aggressive warrior as he often led charges and ambushes on raiders and surrounding tribes, and a master orator whose voice was said to carry half a mile when he spoke.
Later in life, chief Sealth and his people were in trouble as the more powerful Snohomish tribe began to move into their native grounds. Though negotiations were in place for the tribes to share the area, Sealth realized after the Battle of Seattle in 1856 that the two tribes would not be able to live on the same land peacefully and consequently moved away from the area. Sealth would probably be happy if he could see the town of Seattle today, a beautiful thriving town with rich traditions. Chances are if chief Sealth was alive today, he would be a Mariners fan. Later in life he found faith in the Roman Catholic Church and took the name of Noah. That name, of course, being synonymous with one of the greatest Mariners of all time and the ark that he built when the floods were a’ comin’.
Every year, “Chief Seattle Days” are celebrated by the Suquamish in the third week of August.
8/19/07
5th Starters in Recent History
I decided to compare Horacio Ramirez to the 5th starters on the AL Wildcard winners since 2001 just to see how bad of an option he is at the end of the rotation. Here is what I found:
Year: Team: 5th Starter: Record, ERA, WHIP, Hits/9, Homeruns/9, Walks/9, Strikeouts/9
2001: Oakland: Gil Heredia: 7-8, 5.58, 1.58, 11.82 H/9, 2.22 HR/9, 2.38 BB/9, 3.94 K/9
2002: Anaheim: John Lackey: 9-4, 3.66, 1.35, 9.39 H/9, .83 HR/9, 2.74 BB/9, 5.73 K/9
2003: Boston: Casey Fossum: 6-5, 5.47, 1.47, 9.34 H/9, 1.03 HR/9, 3.87 BB/9, 7.18 K/9
2004: Boston: Bronson Arroyo: 10-9, 4.03, 1.22, 8.51 H/9, .86 HR/9, 2.37 BB/9, 7.15 K/9
2005: Boston: Wade Miller: 4-4, 4.95, 1.57, 9.49 H/9, .79 HR/9, 4.65 BB/9, 6.33 K/9
2006: Detroit: Zach Miner: 7-6, 4.84, 1.42, 9.68 H/9, 1.06 HR/9, 3.10 BB/9, 5.71 K/9
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2007: Seattle: Horacio Ramirez: 7-4, 7.38, 1.89, 13.00 H/9, 1.13 HR/9, 4.00 BB/9, 3.88 K/9
ERA: Worst by 1.60
WHIP: Worst by .32
H/9: Worst by 1.18
HR/9: 2nd Worst
BB/9: 2nd Worst
K/9: Worst by .06
Season Outlook
So, after todays win against the Chicago White Sox I looked at the today's scores. The Yankees won, as did the Angels. We're 2 games back of the AL West leading Angels. I looked at the Wild Card and I see we're .5 games ahead of the Yankees. We don't have any room for error. Upon noticing the standings, I got curious and wanted to see what the rest of our schedule looks like. Here it is:
Teams above .500
Minnesota Twins
April 17-19 = Mariners swept in 3 @ Safeco
August 13-15 = Mariners drop 2 of 3 @ Safeco
August 20-22 = @ Metrodome
Current record against Twins = 1-5
Detroit Tigers
May 8-10 = Mariners drop 2 of 3 to the Tigers @ Comerica
July 12-15 = Mariners and Tigers split a 4 game series, 2 games a piece @ Safeco
September 7-9 = @ Comerica
Current record against Tigers = 3-4
Cleveland Indians
May 21 = Mariners lose make-up game @ Jacobs Field
June 11 = Mariners win make-up game @ Jacobs Field
August 30 = @ Jacobs Field
September 25-27 = 4 game series against the Indians @ Safeco Field. The 2nd game on September 26th is an Indians home game at Safeco to make-up for a lost game.
Current record against Indians = 1-1
Toronto Blue Jays
June 29-July 1 = Mariners sweep a 3 game series @ Safeco
July 20-22 = Mariners drop 2 of 3 @ Rogers Centre
August 31-September 2 @ Rogers Centre
Current record against Blue Jays = 4-2
New York Yankees
May 4-7 = Mariners and Yankees split a 4 game series, 2 games a piece @ Yankee Stadium
May 11-13 = Mariners take 2 of 3 @ Safeco
September 3-5 @ Yankee Stadium
Current record against Yankees = 4-3
Los Angeles Angels
April 20-22 = Angels sweep 3 game series @ Angel Stadium
May 15-17 = Mariners drop 2 of 3 @ Safeco
May 28-30 = Mariners drop 2 of 3 @ Angel Stadium
July 30-August 1 = Mariners take 2 of 3 @ Safeco
August 27-29 @ Safeco
September 20-23 @ Angel Stadium
Current record against Angels = 4-8
Of the 41 games left, 24 are against teams with winning records.
Teams Under .500
Texas Rangers = August 23-26 @ Rangers Ballpark
Oakland A's = September 10-12 @ Safeco
Tampa Bay Devil Rays = September 13-16 @ Safeco
Oakland A's = September 17-19 @ McAfee Coliseum
Texas Rangers = September 28-30 @ Safeco
17 of the Mariners final 41 are against the sub-.500 teams.
Against AL West
20 of the final 41 are against AL West teams. Of those 20, 13 are against the teams with losing records, the A's or the Rangers.
2 Biggest Series...
September 3-5 @ Yankee Stadium
September 20-23 @ LA
The two teams we are essentially fighting against for either the Wild Card of the Division, and they are both on the road.
Nightcap: 8/19/07 vs. White Sox
And the MARINERS are in the WIN COLUMN! The story of today's 11-5 M's matinee victory was the top of the lineup. Ichiro, Vidro, and Guillen combined to go 7 for 12 with six runs, seven driven in, and two walks. If Jose Vidro keeps it up, we may just be talking about a batting crown for him (just kidding, but seriously!). The M's, as they have done so well as of late, jumped out to an early three run lead in the first inning with a two-run funk blast by Jose Guillen followed by a solo shot by Adrian Beltre just two batters later. Two more runs scored in the second inning on a Jose Guillen single to make the score 5-0. Five of the other runs scored in the third on and Yu-Bet double, Ichiro single, wild pitch, and a walk. As for King Felix, well he wasn't too shabby. His night ended after 6.1 innings having given up ten hits, four earned runs, a trio of walks, and five strikeouts. O'Flaherty and Morrow combined for the final 2.2 innings allowing only one baserunner via the free pass, and struck out four. Now we head off on our most important stretch of the season to play Minnesota (3 games), Texas (4 games), LAA (3 games), Cleveland (1 game), Toronto (3 games), NYY (3 games), and Detroit (3 games). Out of those twenty games, the three games against the Halo's are the only ones at home. Thats 17 of our next 20 on the road. It's make or break and it will be tough, but we are ready for a challenge.
Tomorrow's Starters: Horacio Ramirez -- SEA -- (7-4, 7.38) vs. Matt Garza -- MIN -- (2-3, 2.05) This is a rematch of last Tuesday where the Twins routed Horacio Ramirez at home (where he is like 10 times better, literally) and beat us 11-3. I'm nervous, scared, and am already feeling the depression from the loss. WAIT, we haven't lost yet, we have to have hope right?!?! Eh, not really. Go Ho!
"Just yesterday morning, they let me know you were gone.
HoRam the plans they made put an end to you.
I walked out this morning, and I wrote down this song.
I just can't remember who to send it to..."
Bavasi, do the right thing and let go of HoRam. I know it's hard for you, BUT YOU'VE GOT TO LET IT GO! You can have my shoulder to cry on...
Umpires: HP--Dan Iassogna 1B--Dale Scott 2B--Ron Kulpa 3B--Paul Emmel
Time: 2:54
Attendance: 45,668 (Good crowd to send us away)
Weather: INDOORS
Wind: 6 mph, out to left
8/18/07
Nightcap: 8/18/07 vs. White Sox
And the MARINERS are in the WIN COLUMN! Jeff Weaver was once again, impressive, in the Mariners 7-5 win over the White Sox tonight. He followed a complete game last outing with a 7.2 inning effort tonight giving up just four earned runs, nine hits, and only walking one. The fourth run came on, wouldn't you know it, another homerun off of George Sherrill in relief, this one to Jim Thome with a runner on. The offense tonight was solid again pounding out thirteen hits. The only Mariner without a hit tonight was Ichiro Suzuki, who was 0 for 3 with a walk. Vidro, Ibanez, Beltre, Lopez, and Betancourt each had two hits, and runs were knocked in by Vidro (1), Guillen (2), Ibanez (1), and Johjima (1). Chicago's offense collected only six hits from three hitters. Jim Thome blasted homeruns nineteen and twenty of the season during this game and drove in three. J.J. Putz recorded his thirty-sixth save of the year and the Mariners gain a game on the Angels and are now two back in the division. The Yankees won tonight, so we remain a half game up on them in the wildcard.
Tomorrow's Starters: Jon Garland (8-8, 4.63) vs. Felix Hernandez (8-6, 3.86)
Umpires: HP--Paul Emmel (Weaver was frustrated) 1B--Dan Iassogna 2B--Dale Scott 3B--Ron Kulpa
Time: 2:31
Attendance: 41,121
Weather: INDOORS
8/17/07
Nightcap: 8/17/07 vs. White Sox
And the MARINERS are in the WIN COLUMN! Miguel Batista put forth an excellent performance in the first game of this three gamer in Seattle against the pesky White Sox. Though his line for the night looks mediocre, I thought he pitched much better than what the line shows. He went 6.1 innings surrendering only three hits, five walks, and three earned runs that scored on the grandslam by Danny Richar off of George Sherrill in relief. With the win, Batista improved to 13-8 on the season. Another big night for Raul Ibanez who went 3 for 4 with yet another homerun, his thirteenth on the season, and drove in two. Jose Vidro went 0 for 2 but did do his job by knocking in two with sac-flys. Beltre was 3 for 4 with one knocked in, and Jose Guillen hat two hits in four at bats. Morrow pitched a scoreless inning and Putz recorded his 11th multi-inning save going 1.1 innings and walking two. The White Sox almost tied the game in their last at bat, but Putz struck out Alex Cintron with a runner on third to end the game. I really don't understand why McLaren brought Putz in during the eighth inning while we were up by a run. Morrow was throwing heat and had the situation under control. I'd rather have my closer start the ninth inning fresh rather than throw some pitches in the eighth and then have to come back in the game. Jose Contreras had a decent night despite giving up nine hits in seven innings. Four earned runs were charged to Contreras as Mariner and Dodger scouts looked on. Could he be a Mariner in the next couple days? Hopefully. His fastball reached 93 or 94 and his splitter/forkball looked sharp. We'll see what happens with Contreras, but the important thing is that the M's remain three back of the Angels and a half a game up on the Yankees in the wildcard.
Tomorrow's Starters: John Danks (6-10, 5.22) vs. Jeff Weaver (4-10, 5.64) It's a battle of the ten game losers with 5+ earned run averages. Let's see if Jeff can weave us another good dream.
Umpires: HP--Ron Kulpa (Beltre wasn't pleased, 5/10 name coolness) 1B--Paul Emmel (3/10 name coolness) 2B--Dan Iassogna (I love lasagna! 7/10 name coolness) 3B--Dale Scott (1/10 name coolness) (Overall crew name coolness = 16/40)
Time: 2:50
Attendance: 46,170 (Sellout)
Weather: 68 degrees, partly cloudy
Wind: 0 mph
