NorthWest Sports Blog brings you daily features on Oregon, Washington State, and BC amateur and pro sports teams.
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 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.
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 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.
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?
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 Clinton Bell is here to ask the question; who will step up with both Michael Saunders, and Michael Morse out for the Mariners? Of course the obvious choices are Jason Bay, and Raul Ibanez. But the Mariners actually want to win games don’t they? The numbers lost with the Mikes far out numbers what we get in return with the two veteran replacements. Not to mention the rest of the team seems to be afraid of the ball with runners in scoring position.
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 game number eight this season Monday night’s home opener versus the Houston Astro’s. Kendrys Morales is in need of some props for his performances since the Oakland series. In his last 4 games, Morales is 8-16 and hitting extremely well with RISP, adding a HR and 5 RBI for the M’s. Was Joe Saunders’ performance a sing of things to come? M’s Opening Night is always a GREAT time.
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 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.
