i mean the division is the weakest but probably top 3 most exciting ones right now... i mean what other division rides on every single game to determine playoff berth??? But seriously they are on a 3 game streak and I want to know if everyones for the mariners choke or rally?
2006-07-25 07:07:44 · 11 answers · asked by tigatigawoodsyall 2 in Sports ➔ Baseball
You might be surprised at some of the simple things that could happen to turn this team from an inconsistent "contender" (let's face it, in just about any other division we'd already be long out of it this year) into the division champs playing October baseball. The two biggest hurdles that make a pennant more difficult than they seem are (1) the fact that we're still in last place, which means that even if we get hot we also have to count on all three other teams NOT to get hot, and the way Anaheim and Texas are positioned for the stretch run that's a tough sell, and (2) there's no way we can expect a shot at the wild card.
My personal take is that we have about a 10% chance of making it to the playoffs as things stand currently. The problem with this team is that the management has been lulled into a false sense of contention thanks to our great record in interleague play and the less than stellar play of the rest of the AL West. The Mariners are the only team in MLB that hasn't changed its rotation all year... The next closest teams have used 7 starting pitchers. On any other ballclub, Pineiro and Washburn would have lost their jobs months ago. Because we're "in a pennant race", young guys who deserve a chance at starting for the big club - the top 3 I'd like to see being Soriano, Lowe, and Francesco Cruceta (who's ready to come up from AAA) - are being held back because Hargrove is afraid of mixing up a good thing. The same could be said for the starting lineups. The DH is the easiest position to fill in baseball... You can find any good hitter regardless of his position or mobility and plug him in there. Why, then, are the Mariners DHing a guy who's hitting .230 (.180 since June 1)? More importantly, why is he still in the middle of the lineup, hitting before the much hotter bats of Johjima and Betancourt?
The answer, though it's hard to believe when you listen to the basics that are printed in the Times and blabbed about during the broadcasts, is that Mike Hargrove needs to go. His managerial calls have directly cost this team enough games that we would be in first place with a few games lead if someone else were in there. He's afraid to make changes to the organization for fear of ruining the good chemistry of something that's already broken. His loyalty to underperforming veterans is holding back deserving younger players who should at least be given a shot.
If you're interested in learning more about the details of what's going on with the Mariners - everything from who's hot in the farm system to who should have been gone 2 years ago to statistics you've never even heard of - check out the below link. It's a Mariners blog updated a few times a day (on average) by an incredibly knowledgable guy that, though half the time I don't know what he's talking about, has a proven track record of making the right calls about guys on the team. I would encourage you to check it out.
2006-07-25 10:57:52 · answer #1 · answered by senormooquacka 5 · 4⤊ 1⤋
The Mariners' difficulty is their hitting. If we traded for a good bat or so earlier the time reduce without giving up any of the starters in our rotation, we'd want to have a a lot more effective probability of triumphing the AL West. No starter interior the rotation has ignored a start up all twelve months and the bottom era in suggested rotation is the three.seventy 5 owned by using Jason Vargas, which isn't undesirable in any respect. in the adventure that they do attain the playoffs, this continues to be very a lot a probability at this element, i'd imagine they could must be considered as a compelled to be reckoned with given their pitching, and how they don't have any gaping holes a million-5 of their rotation. This, blended with a minimum of a league ordinary offense, might want to offer the M's a moderate probability to win the international sequence, yet as has been less than pressure, provided that we pass up Texas interior the branch.
2016-11-25 23:19:30 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, I think Texas and Oakland just might runaway with this race this year. There is no chance for anyone in the AL West to win the Wild Card so it all hangs on the division win and there are talks of Harden coming back before the end of the regular season, there is was also the addition of the rookie Windsor to the A's rotation and Zito isn't going anywhere before the trade deadline. And pitching wins, just look at the Astro's last year with there horrindous offense, but All Star pitching staff
2006-07-25 08:27:18 · answer #3 · answered by 50fifty 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They appear close right now, but no. The other three teams are a lot better. I also disagree with your assertion that its a weak division. Perhaps the weakest division in the AL but from top to bottom it is over .500. When its all over, Mariners should be close to 20 under.
2006-07-25 07:25:23 · answer #4 · answered by Rckets 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Of course they have a chance. I think things will largely depend on Beltre and Sexson. These are the two guys that they brought in to be big-time players and so far they've both pretty much been duds.
Meche has enjoyed a fine season on the mound but after him their pitching staff is relatively weak. Their strong bullpen though should keep them in contention if they can continue to hit well.
2006-07-25 07:15:09 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It depends on what they want to do at the trade deadline. I could see them trying to trade some of their prospects for the one player that could put them over the top. On the other hand, I could see them giving up and trading some of their veterans for prospects. Or I could see them doing nothing, which pretty much guarantees failure both now and in the future. In this division, any of the four teams could win it. All they have to do is want it.
2006-07-25 07:39:06 · answer #6 · answered by Brian 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If Beltre could go back to the way he was with the Dodgers and if Sexson could get his average up for about 10 - 15 points then the Mariners have a shot.......but if beltre and sexson don't turn it around then i doubt it........even tho i think Beltre was a one year wonder with the Dodgers.....
2006-07-25 08:56:27 · answer #7 · answered by Larry 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think the Mariners are two good players away from winning. Ichiro is a great player.
2006-07-25 07:09:50 · answer #8 · answered by Fabio 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sure they can. As long as they don't ship Meche to the Mets like the rumors say. If they do, that means they've given up in my book.
2006-07-25 07:12:43 · answer #9 · answered by Mister Bob the Tomato 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I hope so I'm from Seattle have always been a Mariners fan
2006-07-25 10:42:13 · answer #10 · answered by mochagirl75 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋