NWSportsBeat.com - Northwest Sports

About Jeff Budke

Born and raised in the great Cascadia, Jeff bleeds blue, white, and green. Growing up in the Rose Garden, Autzen Stadium, and SafeCo Field. Jeff hosts and produces "Seattle Mariners Pod" that can be found on Itunes. Connect with Jeff today!
Email: Jeff@NWSportsBeat.com
Jeff On Twitter
NWSB Facebook FanPage
Subscribe To Jeff's Articles Via RSS On NWSB
Jeff's iTunes Podcast
Like Something I wrote? Hate it? Hit me back today I want to hear from you!

The worst series of 2013, how’s Mariners morale everyone?

Smoak

NWSB Insider and Seattle Mariners’ blogger Jeff Budke talks about the recently concluded series vs. the Cleveland Indians. That could be a tough series to shake off. The M’s were swept, and it wasn’t good. Three walk-off losses. The positive to take away? Just as Kendrys Morales was beginning to play more 1B, Justin Smoak remembered he is allowed to hit home runs. Move on vs. Angels. Take both games from a division opponent on the road and all is forgotten.

Three Mariners trade chips for the 2013 season

Kendrys Morales

NWSB Insider and Seattle Mariners’ blogger Jeff Budke talks about three Mariners players who could wield a nice return come trade deadline time in MLB. For quite a long time now the Mariners have been sellers at the deadline. This year could be the turning point where we finally become buyers. But if not, the M’s do have some players of worth who could bring some top prospects in return. Hisashi Iwakuma, Kendrys Morales, Michael Morse could all be dealt.

Mariners outlast Yankees 3-2 thanks to Morse’s 10th HR of the year

Hector Noesi

NWSB Insider and Seattle Mariners’ blogger Jeff Budke talks about the Seattle Mariners win over the N.Y. Yankees today in game 3 of the three game series. Hector Noesi gave up one run and three hits in 4 1/3 innings before Oliver Perez (1-0) followed with 1 1/3 innings for the win. Michael Morse homered, and Dustin Ackley and Brendan Ryan each drove in a run. Mariners manager Eric Wedge earned his first ejection of the season.

Mariners edge A’s behind Safeco Joe

Safeco Joe was once again stellar at home. (Elaine Thompson/AP)

NWSB Insider and Seattle Mariners’ blogger Jeff Budke talks about the Seattle Mariners win over the Oakland Athletics in game 3 of the three game series. Safeco Joe once again showed why he is a valuable asset at home, giving mother’s all across the northwest a reason to celebrate Mother’s Day. Aside from Saunders’ effort on the mound, the Mariners continued to produce well at the plate, scoring six runs in the game.

Mariners split with Pirates, win 2-1 in Wednesday’s matinee

PNC Park

NWSB Insider and Seattle Mariners’ blogger Jeff Budke talks about the Seattle Mariners win over the Pittsburgh Pirates in game 2 of the two game series. It was a happy Happy Felix Day indeed, thanks in part to another lights out performance by the King, and a timely go-ahead homer by Jesus Montero. M’s finished the road trip with a winning record, which is always something to brag about.

Felix Hernandez & co. win the first game of the road trip

Seager + Saunders widescreen

NWSB Insider and Seattle Mariners’ blogger Jeff Budke talks about the Seattle Mariners nice game 1 win over the Toronto Blue Jays on Friday night. The good. The breakthrough from Kyle Seager and re-addition of Michael Saunders has invigorated a Mariners offense that was sputtering because of injuries. The Bad. The Mariners one loss this week? Saunders was 0 for 5. Felix Hernandez won his third game in a row and has four wins already this season.

Saunders’ Reassembled; Mariners win 6-2 in series opener vs. Baltimore

Joe Saunders complete game

NWSB Insider and Seattle Mariners’ blogger Jeff Budke talks about the Seattle Mariners nice game 1 win over the Baltimore Orioloes on Monday night. The good. Michael Saunders crushed a home run in the first inning off a left-handed pitcher. Yes, he played great in CF, adding something Endy Chavez can’t a foot of height. The bad. In AAA, Mike Zunino recorded his first hit at home this season (a triple). Can he come up yet?

Well that was strange; Mariners win big at home

Brandon Maurer Widescreen

NWSB Insider and Seattle Mariners’ blogger Jeff Budke talks about the Seattle Mariners nice game 1 win over the LA Angels on Thursday night. The good. OF Carlos Peguero hit the third-longest home run in SafeCo history (estimate 452 ft), giving the M’s a lead they never relinquished. Bartender cleaned up the place, even in non-save situations Tom Wilhelmsen has been money in the 9th for Seattle. The offensive stars of the night were Kyle Seager and Jason Bay

Mariners lose to Astros again, still have chance to take series

Carlos Peguero

NWSB Insider and Seattle Mariners’ blogger Jeff Budke talks about the Seattle Mariners tough game 2 loss to the Astros on Monday night. The good. Oliver Perez hasn’t given up a run since April 9, which has been his only allowed run in 2013. He has 10 K’s in 10 innings and deserves respect solidifying the bullpen after the M’s lost Stephen Pryor to the DL. The bad. After Kendrys Morales gave hope in the 8th, the Mariners went down quickly.

Offense alert! Mariners take care of Astros 7-1

Montero HR

NWSB Insider and Seattle Mariners’ blogger Jeff Budke talks about the Seattle Mariners trends and aberrations of the young season. With Felix Hernandez on the mound, you can expect a low scoring output by the opposing team. But you can normally expect one from the M’s too. That wasn’t the case Monday night. The M’s exploded for 7 runs, including HR’s by Kyle Seager, Kendrys Morales, and Jesus Montero. Maybe the tides are turning for the SS Mariner.

Mariners Fans! To panic…or not to panic? That is the question!

Maurer struggled initially to find any rhythm. (Joe Nicholson/USA Today Sports)

NWSB Insider and Seattle Mariners’ blogger Jeff Budke talks about Seattle’s woes during the early portion of their 2013 MLB season. The team is changing, but the results are staying the same. The result? Many are confused as to what to think about Seattle early on. On the one hand, it is very early in the season still and the Mariners have yet to gel as a team. Relax folks! Kyle Seager is about to go on a tear. Michael Saunders will be back in a week. Good times.

Who should start at catcher: Jesus Montero or Kelly Shoppach?

Jesus Montero

NWSB Insider and Seattle Mariners blogger Jeff Budke brings us a question for the ages; Shoppach, or Montero? Kelly Shoppach has been the more productive hitter between the two this year, but Montero is supposed to be the go to guy at the plate for the M’s. Shoppach is the better of the two behind the plate as well. Should Wedge make a move? We are still very early in the season, but, wins may be at stake here.