Game 156, Mariners at Angels
King Felix vs. CJ Wilson, 12:35pm
Happy Felix day. This is as conflicted as I’ve been on a Felix day in quite some time. The M’s obviously toyed with the idea of shutting Felix down following his back tightness, but he’s apparently been given the go-ahead to make this start. That’s…good, of course – he had a bit of a scare, but he’s fine now, and can resume his royal duties. But with the stakes so low, and with his royal highness so important, a part of me wishes they’d just shut him down for the rest of the season (ie. a week) and tell him to work on 2014. Then there’s the fact that this game’s going up against the Seahawks game, and we may be looking at the least-watched Felix Day in years, possibly ever. There’s plenty to look for, of course – from how he looks after a few innings to how his stuff/velo appear after a decent layoff. I just can’t imagine too many people will actually do so.
CJ Wilson’s quietly had a solid season, coming back from a rough April and the backlash borne of those ubiquitous shampoo ads. He’s still perhaps not quite the player the Angels thought they were acquiring, and his contract starts to hurt in a few years, but he’s been a 3 WAR pitcher thus far. He’s also 3-0 against Seattle this year, with 4 runs allowed in 20 1/3 IP. As a lefty, Wilson obviously targets the M’s big weakness, and Wilson’s successful largely because he’s extremely tough on left-handed hitters. But the M’s are able to trot out seven righty hitters to face him – and Wilson’s career FIP is over 4 against righties.
Of course, as we’ve lamented for quite a while now, Morales and Franklin can *hit* righty, but it’s clearly not their strength. Justin Smoak can hit righty, but his splits are even worse (all 17 of his HRs this year have been hit lefty this year). Carlos Triunfel is a righty, but there’s scant evidence of any kind of offensive strengths with him. Mike Zunino may be a lefty-killer in the future, but he’s struggling mightily against big-league pitching so far.
1: Almonte, CF
2: Gutierrez, RF
3: Seager, 3B
4: Morales, DH
5: Smoak, 1B
6: Zunino, C
7: Franklin, 2B
8: Saunders, LF
9: Triunfel, SS
SP: King Felix
After a few weeks of counting down the days until the end of the season, I now realize I’m going to miss it. Not this particular campaign, but the daily routine of following the team. And honestly, I think I’m just wistful about what this season could have been – not a playoff season, but not this weird limbo where signs of progress are so mixed up with regression and disappointment.
Go Felix! And go Seahawks!
M’s too, I suppose.
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46 Responses to “Game 156, Mariners at Angels”
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I always follow the Mariners to the end, but am definitely ready for a break.
However, unlike past years, I am already feeling cynical about the off season. If Jack is left in charge, after last time I just have no hope that he actually knows what he’s doing. The dramatic shift from earlier makes me believe he never had any major league evaluation skills at all – it was someone on his staff that identified Guti as a good trade target, not him. That staff is long gone…
I am with you Westside…I will follow them to the end but have absolutely no faith in this front office. I feel it will just be more of the same junk from this year…
Hit early and often, guys!
CJ’s hair does NOT look freshly washed…
Yeah, I’m not getting the “CJ Wilson is the hot one” thing at all. He’s always looked like some stoner boy surfer dude with the associated hair.
And Josh Hamilton may be utterly delightful in person, but he has the crazy eyes of the guy who’d punch a chick in the mouth when she didn’t give him the demanded sexual service in some nightclub. Neither is exactly the men I’d pick for an advertising campaign.
Yay, a strikeout!
And now some fan ass-kissing for the game! Jack Z is in the house!
I have a question for Jack. What is the over/under whether you have 6 more games after this contest as the Mariner GM?
Fan question: Jack, how on EARTH did you manage to sign Raul, who’s clearly added 10 wins or so of value to this team, all by himself? How do you consistently identify such amazing talent? And are you going to lock him up for the next 4-5 years before someone else does?
And we’re you disappointed in Michael Morse, given that no one on earth could’ve seen his injury problems coming? Will you try to sign him again, now that he’s healthy?
Next year, we will get to see the Mariners battle the Astros for the basement.
Easy. Because he adds “veteran grit” and makes all the kids play so much better than projected due to his mentoring. Heck, look what Blanco has brought to the table!!!
Better yet, when will you trade Condor, because he hasn’t had a very good second half and he’s one of our weaker outfielders. And what will we possibly get back in compensation due to the fact that he is easily our 5th or 6th best outfielder? (extreme sarcasm alert)
Dump Saunders – no I meant the other Saunders
So I’ve been away from the television – has Jack said anything that is actually of interest, or has it been all “growing pains” and we need veterans?
Wait – bees are swarming in the outfield?
I suppose it’s better than sewage in the clubhouse, anyway.
Sign of petulance….The swarm!
Gods, what a droning bore Jack is. So the short version is, yes, you need to know someone to get a job in the game.
And it wouldn’t be a droning bore story without a golf mention. *snore*
Although I am getting a bit of a stink from this whole high school ‘exhibition’ pimping and trolling Latin America teenagers thing. Baseball is a factory making sausage and a lot of offal is ending up rotting in a dumpster out back. Love the game, but…
His comments about Iwakuma are at least in part crap.
Wedge wasn’t easing him in via the bullpen… Iwakuma wasn’t used *at all* for a couple months. He was one of the two last players in MLB to get into a game in 2012, period.
Oh Carlos.
That guy better hope a baseball doesn’t get hit into that box!
Blanco has brought a “holy shit that guy is going to stab me” presence that few other players can bring.
Having guys like Blanco on the roster has worked for them, at least with some fans. I know when I’ve complained about Zunino’s call up, I’ve had people reply “well would you rather have Seen Blanco and Shoppach all the time?” – as if those were the only possible options.
… And there Jack goes, saying how no one could’ve foreseen Morse’s injury issues.
Seriously, Henry could be the next Danny Trejo on the big screen after baseball.
Henry Blanco thinks that Danny Trejo characters are pussies.
I didn’t think it was possible, but my opinion of Jack Zduriencik is actually lower now than it was before this game.
Blanco is at least entertaining to look at. I say ‘whoa!’ every time I see him.
Which is different than the “whoa” you say when suddenly Mike Carp is in the screen.
That’s just mean, Mets team photographer
By far the scariest/most intimidating looking player in the league. Use to be the old relief pitcher, Julian Tavares hands down. LOL
M’s problems are way more complex than Jack. The crap we see is rolling down hill. We need TOTAL regime change starting with the owner(s). I really don’t believe we get well until that happens.
I’m glad that there’s nothing worth commenting in the game for the booth guys. Another sign all have given up?
What can they possibly say that is on their minds, but would also get them fired?
It’s so bad access is forbidden, henryv.
Tavares and Blanco in a knife fight over a crack rock…I can so see it! (Although I’m sure they’re both religious family men who doesn’t even swallow when taking communion.)
Not to be flippant, East, but there has been a recent resignation in ownership.
Music to my ears. I hope it continues. There needs to be a 180 degree change in direction and leadership for us to be successful IMO.
Tavares and Blanco in a knife fight over a crack rock…I can so see it!
Almost spit Pepsi through my nose!!! LMAO
I’ve been watching the Seahawks.
What happened to Felix?
Bee delay, and probably a pitch count.
Also, Felix decided watching the Seahawks would be more valuable than pitching in for a AAA game.
Smoak’s first right handed home run.
Smoakin’
92 pitches in 4 innings plus a nature interruption after 2 missed starts. Enough.
That’s the kind of anti-climax that I like to see.
Yoervis Medina: King of the “anti-climax.”
There’s a climax we don’t want to see.
I wonder if crazy drunk yelling fan will be there for the final homestand?
And Kendrys just keeps on keepin’ on
Let’s hope so. That’s the most entertaining part of the home games lately.
Woo.
Hoo.