NorthWest Sports Blog brings you daily features on Oregon, Washington State, and BC amateur and pro sports teams.
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 Editor and Insider Chris Anderson talks about the overachievers and underachievers for the Seattle Mariners during their early campaign in 2013. Not having won a series in 2013, dropping 4-of-6 to the Astros (THE ASTROS) early on, and a team batting average of .228 have what fans were thinking about attending a game trying to figure out what else they can do on that particular day. One of the reasons this has occurred are several players not living up to their potential.
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.
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.
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 the fourteenth game of the season versus the Texas Rangers. Jeff points out the bad. There are too many players on this team slugging their batting average or close to it. It is a terrible thing. He points out the good. Felix Hernandez pitched irregularly poor, but then Hisashi Iwakuma pitched a gem on Friday, and Joe Saunders is making me look foolish, and now Brandon Maurer bounced back.
NWSB Insider and Seattle Mariners blogger Jeff Budke reports on the eleventh game of the season versus the Texas Rangers. Jeff points out Franklin Gutierrez continued his good start with another lead-off HR, his fourth of the year and third leading off. Justin Smoak and Jesus Montero each had two hits, unfortunately they were not when the team needed them most with the bases loaded and less than 2-outs, but at least they got hits Thursday. It’s a start right?
NWSB Insider and Seattle Mariners blogger Jeff Budke reports on the tenth game of the season versus the Houston Astros. Jeff points out pitching is a major problem with this M’s team right now. He says a pitcher should be evaluated over time, perhaps every month within a season, but it is hard to avoid that when Brandon Maurer & then Blake Beavan put the bullpen and the offense in bad positions playing with different mindsets. Is Aaron Harang the answer?
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 Mariner’s blogger Jon Irwin gives us his take on top prospect Mike Zunino, and his torrid start to the 2013 season. The minor league season is only a few games-young, but even so it’s impossible to ignore what Zunino is doing. Playing at Triple A Tacoma, Mike is currently hitting .500/.526/1.375 with three home runs in four games. While a call up could be coming sooner than later, such a move will be harder than it sounds.
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.
Five days from start of the season Seattle Mariners Bench boss Eric Wedge has given enough clues for the lineup on Monday night…right? Spring Training has been nothing less than exciting for the Mariners, something that has not been said around Seattle for quite some time. With plenty of wins and a spring home run record, a breakout year [...]
