NorthWest Sports Blog brings you daily features on Oregon, Washington State, and BC amateur and pro sports teams.
NWSB Insider and Seattle Mariners Blogger Jordin Ereth breaks down why Eric Wedge is so confident about third base. Only halfway through his third season, Kyle Seager has already become the most consistent Mariner on the ball club. He plays as solid of a third base that you can find, and is hitting an encouraging .281. In the midst of this young talent producing, it is comforting knowing we have a budding star to lead the lineup over in the hot corner.
NWSB Insider and Seattle Mariners’ blogger gives you his M’s expectations for the month of June. It’s all about pitching. It is unreasonable to project that Felix Hernandez (5th in AL ERA) and Hisashi Iwakuma (2nd) will continue this torrid pace. Jeremy Bonderman will get the month to try to establish himself, but the Harang spot in the rotation may be up for grabs soon. Who will Tom Wilhelmsen be? The next Brandon League? Stay tuned.
NWSB Insider and Seattle Mariners’ blogger gives you his love ‘em and hate ‘em from the second game of the series vs. the White Sox. Raul Ibanez hit his second 2-run home run in as many days. Good to see the M’s play well for a week straight, hopefully Hisashi Iwakuma can put the White Sox to bed early today.
NWSB Insider and Seattle Mariners’ blogger Jeff Budke has had it with the Mariners’ front office. From the top management to Eric Wedge, Jeff voices his opinion on how lowly the organization has been the past decade. Seeing an excess of talent shipped away only for drearier results, Seattle’s organization must change if it is to succeed at any point in the future. The time for Eric Wedge may be running out.
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.
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 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.
NWSB Insider and Seattle Mariners blogger Clinton Bell tells us to him the best “MY oh MY” play of the fifth week of the year had to be the all around play of the Mariners for the week. The M’s took 4 out of 6 games, en route to a series win against both the Orioles and Blue Jays. Welcome back Michael Saunders, great pitching, a triple by Jesus Montero, a slam by Dustin Ackley, and Jason Bay is hitting the ball well. A great week by our Mariners all around.
NWSB Insider and Seattle Mariners blogger Clinton Bell tells us to him the best “MY oh MY” play of the fourth week of the year had to be the go-ahead homer by Michael Morse. Morse followed fellow outfielder Jason Bay for the second home run on the day for the Mariners. This one was the deciding factor in the much anticipated return of former Mariners Jason Vargas. The Marines won the game, and the series, their first series win of the year.
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.
NWSB Insider and Seattle Mariners blogger Jeff Budke brings us his top five most positive aspects of the Jack Zduriencik & Eric Wedge era here in Seattle. Of course you can’t mention these two guys, and the Mariners in the same sentence without bringing up the great rebuild of the century. There sure have been plenty of moves, but it seems that we are finally on the right path here in Seattle. From the farm system to the trades, Jack Z has us on our way.
NWSB insider and Mariners blogger Jeff Budke brings us his take on the biggest surprises of the Mariners minor league rosters to kick off 2013. Topping the list is the delegation of Mike Zunino to Triple A Tacoma, and the separation of Seattle’s “big 3″ pitching prospects. Jeremy Bonderman earns applause for his decision to stick things out in the minors. Keep your eye on Taijuan Walker, James Paxton, and Danny Hultzen in 2013 as well.
