NorthWest Sports Blog brings you daily features on Oregon, Washington State, and BC amateur and pro sports teams.
NWSB Seattle Mariners blogger Insider Steve weighs in today on the M’s offense. If you break it down even further, through 5 starts this season Felix Hernandez has a 2.75 ERA while Jason Vargas has a 3.83 ERA. If you combine the two, you have an ERA of 3.25 compared to the 7.55 ERA between Blake Beavan, Hector Noesi, and Kevin Millwood. The pitching not the bats is the reason for the 11-10 record.
NWSB Insider Steve also a Washington State Cougars blogger tells us this week there are certain things outside of the realm of football that Mike Leach stresses on his players that Chip Kelly falls by the wayside. Insider fully expects Chip Kelly to move on to the NFL because in his mind he’s already there. Washington State will be in a much better situation than Oregon because of it.
NWSB Insider and Seattle Seahawks writer Insider Steve is back with a pre-draft 2012 NFL article about what the 12th man will be talking about around the water cooler on Friday morning. The team is on the verge of Super Bowl contention and the right pick(s) could vault us over the top. Steve says the Seahawks will draft wide receiver Michael Floyd from Notre Dame. Shocker? Yes. Great Pick? Yes.
NWSB Insider and Seattle Mariners blogger Insider Steve gives us his weekly M’s pitching breakdown in the arms under the spotlight segment. The Mariners took on Cleveland and the Chicago White Soxk in what turned out to include a few VERY noteworthy pitching performances. Hector Noesi had a hard time finding the strike zone. Blake Beavan pitched against a guy throwing a perfect game. Brandon League blew a Felix Hernandez win.
NWSB Insider and Seattle Mariners blogger Insider Steve brings us a good piece on the M’s today. Center fielder and Victoria BC Canada native Michael Saunders is under the spotlight. When the Mariners did select him in 11th round, the thought was maybe he could develop into a fourth outfielder at best, with a knack for speed and using his glove as his biggest asset. It’s not everyday an 11th round pick ascends to the major leagues.
NWSB Insider and Seattle Mariners blogger Insider Steve gives us his weekly M’s pitching breakdown in the arms under the spotlight segment. The Mariners took on Texas and Oakland this week in what turned out to be quite a few pitching duels. While Felix Hernandez still worried some, the under rated Blake Beavan, Jason Vargas and Hector Noesi stunned. The Mariners bullpen was a little shaky, but evened itself out to hold on.
NWSB Insider and Seattle Mariners blogger Insider Steve says the Mariners bench boss Eric Wedge is walking a fine line where losing your clubhouse is a distinct possibility. Only time will tell, but one thing Steve does know, for the time being, Eric Wedge is in charge. Wedge is holding the M’s players more accountable for mistakes he would consider to be egregious. Brendan Ryan, and Shawn Kelley take note.
NWSB Insider and Seattle Mariners blogger Insider Steve gives us his weekly M’s pitching breakdown in the arms under the spotlight segment. The issues surrounding Felix Hernandez and his drop in velocity, which was completely evident in his two starts, could’ve been attributed to the time differences and the body chemistry adjusting to travel. The Mariners open up a four-game set with Texas as Hector Noesi takes the mound.
NWSB Insider and Seattle Mariners blogger Insider Steve says the Mariners lineup needs to score in the top of the first. Put the game in motion early on and give Justin Smoak and Jesus Montero early opportunities with runners in scoring position. Early success will create a trickle down effect for the rest of the lineup.
NWSB Insider Steve tells us that the Seattle Mariners should do everything to retract this letter and get ready for Opening Day. Most everyone who knows steve knows how much he loves the M’s and how much he stands up for the franchise, but even he admits this letter will leave egg all over the face of Mariners brass. He can fully understand their intent, but Chuck Armstrong and Howard Lincoln need to be quiet.
NWSB Insider and Washington St. Cougars blogger Insider Steve tells us his opinions and take on the second arrest in 4 days for former Cougars star quarterback Ryan Leaf. He points out no matter how bad his disease is, it doesn’t mean Leaf gets a free pass. The truth of the situation is sometimes people have to learn the hard way to live life. He’s not in control of himself, and clearly needs a lot of help.
NWSB blogger Insider Steve brings us his 5 reasons to love the 2012 Seattle Mariners starting rotation recently announced by head coach Eric Wedge. With Felix Hernandez, Jason Vargas, Hector Noesi, Blake Beavan and Kevin Millwood all making the starting cut, where did new guy Hisashi Iwakuma end up?
