NorthWest Sports Blog brings you daily features on Oregon, Washington State, and BC amateur and pro sports teams.
NWSB Editor and Insider Chris Anderson talks about the moving of Jesus Montero to AAA Tacoma and other roster moves the Mariners could make. The Mariners are now 20-27, 10 games behind the Texas Rangers, and in need of some changes. And it looks like we’ll get some very soon, as moves have been rumored in the past day that could really shuffle the big league lineup. A Jesus swap is taking place. Jesus Montero down to Tacoma, Jesus Sucre up to Seattle.
NWSB Insider and Seattle Mariners blogger Brandon Choate brings us his May 17th edition of Seattle Mariners Love em & Hate em. Brandon loves the fact that both Felix Hernandez AND Hisashi Iwakuma are at the top of the pitching class in the AL while he is really down on Brendan Ryan and Robert Andino. Can we see Nick Franklin in Seattle sooner than later? And yes, Brandon made a Chone Figgins reference. He apologizes.
NWSB Insider and Seattle Mariners blogger Clinton Bell brings us a piece that questions managements decision to keep the uber talented Nick Franklin down at AAA Tacoma while the starters are struggling. It’s not a secret that Brendan Ryan never brought his bat from St. Louis with him. And it seems that Robert Andino’s must have gotten lost in transport from Baltimore as well. But there is a kid that has been on the list of top prospects for a long time playing some good ball down in Tacoma. Nick Franklin.
NWSB Insider Brandon Choate brings us his weekly Fantasy Baseball recap of your Seattle Mariners. The pitchers headlined the dominant performances this week, with Felix Hernandez and Hisashi Iwakuma combining for 4 wins and Tom Wilhelmsen adding 2 saves. Michael Saunders and Kyle Seager did their part at the plate while many did not.
NWSB Insider and Seattle Mariners blogger Jordin Ereth makes five bold predictions about the remainder of the M’s season. Among the predictions are Felix Hernandez winning the Cy Young award, Nick Franklin becoming the starting short stop, Kendrys Morales being traded, four players making the All-Star Game and the team making the postseason.
NWSB Insider Brandon Choate brings us his weekly Fantasy Baseball recap of your Seattle Mariners. Felix Hernandez is always your best bet, but there are more MAriners in the mix this year. Hisashi Iwakuma has pitched like Felix this season (so far) and Michael Morse and Kendrys Morales have been doing what they were brougth in to do – produce runs. Last year’s scapegoats, sans Chone Figgins, are already on the hot seat this season – Justin Smoak, Dustin Ackley, Brendan Ryan
NWSB Insider and Seattle Mariners blogger Jeff Budke reports on game number six this season Saturday versus the Chicago White Sox. Coming off the extra-inning win, the M’s fall to the Chicago White Sox 4-3 on Saturday. Jeff points out he’s not a fan of Jason Bay as a pinch runner. After Kendrys Morales singled, Wedge sent Bay out to run for the DH. This must have been a “lesser of two evils” type situation, but there needs to be better options from the bench in that situation.
NWSB Insider and Seattle Mariners blogger Danny Ferguson reports on the Mariners series matchup between the M’s and the White Sox in Chicago. The first pitching matchup features Mariners Blake Beaven (0-0, 0.00 ERA) vs Jose Quintana. Danny points out he’s happy with Brendan Ryan’s plate discipline. So far Ryan has been impressive already tallying a handful of free passes. The White Sox have owned Seattle. This will be a tough series.
NWSB Insider and Seattle Mariners blogger Jeff Budke reports on the second game of the season versus the Oakland Athletics. Jeff points out that leadoff hits and two-out rallies were key in the 7-1 victory. Hisashi Iwakuma also had a great showing, along with Michael Saunders and Kyle Seager. If there’s anything to not like, it’s Yoenis Cespedes. But in this case, hate equals respect.
NWSB Insider and Seattle Mariners blogger Jeff Budke reports on the first game of the season versus the Oakland Athletics. The Headline: Felix Hernandez shines as the Mariners win their 7th straight opening day game. Jeff points out the bullpen, Charlie Furbush, Pryor, and Tom Wilhelmsen surrendered two walks in only 1.1 IP. That trend cannot continue, because hits will come too. Next game check out Michael Morse and his really strange batting stretch-thing.
NWSB insider and Mariners blogger Jon Irwin gives his rundown of the Seattle Mariner’s defensive lineup in 2013. For a team like Seattle, defense is imperative. The team enters 2013 with an improved lineup, but pitching remains the biggest competitive advantage; meaning it needs a good defense. Headlining this year’s group of gloves is Brendan Ryan and Franklin Gutierrez.
NWSB Managing Editor and Seattle Mariners blogger “Q” tells us today that the Mariners released their 2013 commercials. Not only did they bring back Felix Hernandez to do another one with the classic hot sauce but now Brendan Ryan talks to a Buffalo, which in itself is just classic. The newest season features Dustin Ackley wearing his love for fans on his sleeve.
