Game 17, Mariners at Marlins
Roenis Elias vs. Henderson Alvarez, 4:10pm
I honestly don’t know what to say about the fact that its up to Elias to stop a Mariner losing streak. Uh, go get ’em kid. Watch out for Stanton. That slow curve? Keep it far away from the spot Medina placed his slider.
The plus side isn’t just that Elias is a fly baller in a park that’s hard for non-Stantons to homer in- the plus is that the M’s are facing Henderson Alvarez. I kept trying to think of who Hector Noesi reminded me of – who else threw a swerving 94mph sinker with a breaking ball that didn’t look obviously bad and posted terrible results? Henderson Alvarez, of course! While with the Blue Jays, Alvarez managed the near impossible trifecta of early-80s, sub-Beavan K rates, ground balls AND an awful HR rate. He faced the M’s 3 times, giving up 3 HRs in 18 IP, with 8 free passes given up against just 6 Ks. Because these facts pertain to the M’s of 2011-12, I should note that he went 2-0, but still – bad numbers.
Then, pretty much immediately after joining the Marlins, he turned into a decent, sometimes better, but clearly not terrible starter. The K rate improved, as it would when you suddenly get to face pitchers. But the big change was the HR rate. He gave up just 2 HRs last year Ina bit over 100 IP, a year after yielding 29. He’s still never given up a HR in Marlins park. He’s not exactly good, and lefties still have a distinct advantage against him, but he limited the damage they could do. The BABIP gods may not be as kind to him this year, but he looks like an ok back of the rotation starter, and he just turned 24 yesterday.
I mention this because it’s clear to me that this will play out for Noesi too. He’s not going to win any Cy Youngs, but someone – maybe Texas, maybe his next stop- is going to make a tiny adjustment to his mechanics or grip and Noesi will turn into an innings eater who gives up few HRs. It’s easier if you prepare yourself ahead of time and react intellectually, perhaps musing on the nature of coaching, or of maturity.
1: Almonte, CF
2: Miller, SS
3: Cano, 2B
4: Smoak, 1B
5: Saunders, RF
6: Seager, 3B
7: Ackley, LF
8: Zunino, C
9: Elias, SP
I don’t believe Elias has ever batted professionally.
Jordan Pries, who’s been on a tear to start the year in AA, starts for Jackson. Dutchman Lars Huijer starts for Clinton.
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57 Responses to “Game 17, Mariners at Marlins”
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Bad owners, GM that fields a team weak up the middle, little speed and total lack of player development. Name me one all- star position player that has come through the system.
What can you expect?
For his sake, I hope Zunino can get to another team.
Adam Jones for one.
Probably wouldn’t be had he stayed a Mariner. He was lucky enough to get out, I hope the same for Zunino.
Zunino’s O-swing% is currently at 50%!
Is anyone else thinking, “Seriously? Still?” I feel like, by now, we’re entitled to at least mediocrity by sheer luck. Even making decisions at random, you should be able to win 80 games once every 5 years. Right?
OK, nice season, Mariners. Let’s get ready for some FOOTBALL!
I’m just wondering if anyone on this team knows how to take a walk. Today (Sunday) Saunders struck out, but did anyone notice the difference between his at bat and Franklin? Does anyone have access to a stat bar on how many pitches each member of this club takes / receives before they strike out /dribble it to second / create a pop fly. I’ll be Saunders looks pretty good. He didn’t have a great season last year, but remember when Jeff (or whomever) posted those states for how long it took someone with his injury to recover? It made a lot of sense. I just don’t get it. Saunders is one of the club leaders in RBIs during the Spring and then McClendon doesn’t give him a chance to bat regularly. He may be a fourth outfielder on some other club, but he’s the best right fielder we have.