Week #19 in Review
For crying out loud. I step out about 10 days for vacation, I come back and half the team has been fired, Ryan Franklin has been juiced, and King Felix makes his major league debut. And to think, a week ago, I was sitting in Larry Lucchino’s seats in Fenway. But that’s another story. I tried catching up on all my USS Mariner reading in one sitting, and I’m still crazy confused as to who’s on the team and who’s not. Yuniesky Betancourt, Yorvit Torrealba — these are some of the coolest Mariner names since Puchy Delgado.
Almost makes one forget that the Mariners actually played games this past week.
Vital Signs
Wins: 46. Losses: 61. Games out of first place: 15.5.
In the three weeks since we last visited this exercise, the M’s have dropped just 2 more games in the standings. But hey, check it: according to Baseball Prospectus’s playoff odds, the M’s still have a 0.0029% chance of making the playoffs. So there’s still a chance… right? The Rangers in third place are now 8 games out of reach. According to third-order wins, the Mariners are now 3 games “unlucky,” with only Tampa Bay and Kansas City with worse numbers.
Runs Scored: 472 (13th in the American League). Batting average: .259 (last). On-base percentage: .317 (last). Slugging percentage: .396 (last). Home runs: 90 (13th). Bases on balls: 292 (10th). EqA: .251 (10th, that pitcher’s park helps).
Runs allowed: 498 (8th). Staff ERA: 4.49 (8th). DIPS ERA: 4.79 (13th). Strikeouts: 566 (last). Bases on balls: 354 (11th). Home runs allowed: 118 (12th). Starters ERA: 5.14 (12th). Relievers ERA: 3.15 (3rd). Defensive efficiency: 70.3% (4th, tied with Toronto and Detroit).
The M’s picked up after the All-Star break just about the same place. They’ve batted .256/.309/.416 since the break and been out-scored 110-95 en route to a 7-13 record. They have outslugged their opponents thanks to Richie Sexson who has 12 extra-base hits and 11 walks in just 70 at bats since the break.
Over the past week, the Mariners went 2-4 against the Tigers and Indians. They scored 7 runs in a game twice, yet managed to lose both games. They hit .241/.299/.389 against pitching staffs that rank 7th and 5th in the league in run prevention. They were outscored 35-27. While the Mariners slugged more home runs, 8-7, they were simply beat to the punch just getting runners to first base as the opposition collected more hits 63-49 and drew more walks 18-15.
Heroes
Raul Ibanez went 9-for-23 (.391/.462/.565) with a double, a home run and 3 walks. Sunday afternoon against the Indians, Ibanez reached base 4 times and scored 3 runs. Honorable mention goes Adrian Beltre for leading the team with 4 extra-base hits. Unfortunately, Beltre was on base only 6 times all week.
Six games, six different starters for the Mariners. So how can we not celebrate the debut of Felix Hernandez in this space? The 19-year-old phenom made his debut yesterday against the Tigers lasting 5 innings, striking out 4, while allowing 1 earned run on 3 hits and 2 walks. No, we cannot get enough of this guy.
Not-so-much Heroes
Is there a curse behind home plate? Weak-i Gonzalez takes over the starting job behind the dish and goes 3-for-16 (.188/.278/.250). He hit a double and walked twice, scoring in 4 of the 5 times he was on base. Richie Sexson had a similarly bad week, going 3-for-19 (.158/.320/.211). He at least led the team with 5 walks.
So we mention the six different starters… the pathetic thing is only 3 of them (Hernandez, the now-suspended Ryan Franklin and Joel Pineiro) completed the fifth inning. And only Franklin entered the sixth. Aaron Sele made a most inglorious exit to the sequel of his Seattle career. Friday against Cleveland he was plastered for 9 runs on 12 hits and a pair of long-balls in just 4 innings. Adios, chuchacho.
Coming to a stadium near you
Beginning this evening the Mariners take on the Stacker of Wheat and Player with Railroads, their second journey to the Windy City to see the screaming White Sox this season. The M’s dropped two out of three to the Palehose back in April. The one victory came against Freddy Garcia. While the White Sox boast the best record in baseball, their offense would be lucky to intimidate a pack of timid kittens. Their EqA is a tick below the Mariners. It’s their pitching and defense to be concerned about. The M’s will face Freddy Garcia, Mark Buerhle and Jon Garland, who rank 22nd, 11th, and 15th in all of baseball in VORP.
Tuesday begins a three-game set against the Twins, another team with an offense on par with the Mariners. For those of you disappointed that Bret Boone will not be making his homecoming, hold back your tears. Tuesday King Felix makes his Safeco Field debut. If you missed the comment left below the last post, tickets are not only available, but by an act of Providence, coincidentally are available at discount prices. Password: RAUL.
You have no excuse to not be there.
Comments
21 Responses to “Week #19 in Review”
Might I add in the category of vital signs…Reason for hope: Felix Hernandez.
I’m not coming up with a discount on that link and password–still 50 bucks for terrace club. What’s the promo supposed to be?
The promo is only for Terrace Club Outfield, not Terrace Club Infield.
Yeah, what Dave said — it’s not all of terrace club — just “terrace club outfield” which is the 200 level infield, but past first and third base. Should be $29 for those seats instead of $43.
If it wasn’t already a game on my season ticket plan, I’d take them up on it. Field seats (100 level, but past first/third) are $24 instead of $35 as well.
I don’t know where the USSM cheering (or in my case, singing) section will be, but I’m going to plant myself behind the bullpen around 6:20-6:30pm to make sure I can see His Kingly Warmup. That might not be a bad place to seek out other USSM people, if such a thing is desired.
You have no excuse to not be there.
None made! My e-ticket is sitting right behind me.
I’m going to try to sneak down to the bullpen to watch warmups myself if I can. What time do they open the gates for the snooty, err Terrace, Club fans? Any earlier than the normal gate time?
I’ll be going straight from work so I’ll have some time to kill.
Thanks for the link to the Sandberg poem. Great stuff.
I’m driving up from Vancouver to be there. (Ok, so I already had plans to be not only in Seattle but at Safeco Tuesday night. But then, I was at his first pro start in Everett two years ago so it must have been in the cards.)
I will most likely be staking out a spot at the bullpen, assuming I’m not guarding beer wall space (to hang giant “K” signs).
Jeff in #5, I don’t think the Terrace Club opens extra early. I’ve never had the “honor” of sitting there, but having on numerous occasions been one of the first people in the stadium when the gates do open, I haven’t noticed any extra people wandering about, and there’s nothing on the official website about it (but maybe they just don’t want we plebeians to know about all the perks.) On select days they do let season ticket holders in an hour early.
Excuses:
1) Live on the other side of the state.
2a) I work full time.
2b) The game is in the middle of the week.
I’ll add one more excuse: As much as I’d like to see Felix in person, this team is 14 games under .500. Why exactly should I spend the money for a Tuesday night game with a Twins team on its way down?
You’re a baseball fan who enjoys watching the game.
Also, it’s Felix’s home debut. I want to be there for that.
DMZ, if I lived 10 miles away instead of 110, I’d probably take a softer stance. As a baseball fan, I’m looking forward to watching this game but for time and distance reasons, will do so via TV.
Why exactly should I spend the money for a Tuesday night game with a Twins team on its way down?
When else will you get to see two teams play that both dumped Bret Boone in the same season?
That’s funny and oh so true, Deanna. A similar situation could develop at the end of August for the Yankee series if the Yankees sign Sele and he’s really bad in his two or three starts in NY.
If Felix’ second start is against the Angels on Sunday the 14th, I just might make the drive from Ellensburg.
hey, there’s also a chance the Rangers might pick Sele up 🙂
“You have no excuse to not be there.”
Unless I start a pledge drive at Sports And Bremertonians over the weekend, there’s no way I can be in Seattle on Tuesday.
Maybe next season, heh.
How can you not have Franklin explicitly called out for his suspension in your “Not-so-Much Heroes” section (if anything, you’re “lauding” him for being the only pitcher to pitch in 6 innings). To me, that’s a no-brainer.
Related to this, I have a question — can a player on the DL be tested under MLB’s policy?
DMZ and I will be there, possibly with bells on. Felix may be the driving force that pushes me to adopt the M’s as my new legit fave team–I’m even contemplating a jersey purchase. Psyched.
I didn’t agree to any bells.
If there’s bells, I definitely want to see it.
I, for one, will be wearing no bells.
CORCO’S EXCUSES:
1. I live in Idaho
2. I have no money
3. I have to work
4. I might run into a pretty girl here that I wouldn’t have had I gone to Seattle
5. My car doesn’t have a big enough gas tank to get all the way there and back on one fillup
6. Gas is too expensive in Washington.
7. Lodging is too expensive, and the only family I have up there is a cousin at Whidbey Island, and he’s probably gone. I’d have to bring the tent and camp at a rest area.
8. I am paranoid about sleeping in a tent at a rest area
9. Tickets, even with promos are too expensive
10. I’m going to Oregon the following week and I don’t feel like driving clear across the Pacific Northwest 4 times in 2 weeks
11. Lodging is already booked and paid for in Oregon, so no changing
12. No private plane if I choose to fly
13. Can afford Horizon or Southwest nonstop tickets to Seattle, can’t afford bus fares from Seatac to the rest area, or the oversize fee on the tent in the cargo bay.
“Tuesday begins a three-game set against the Twins”
Actually it starts Monday 😛
Excuse:
I can watch it on TV and I’m already going to the game on Monday.