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 gives you his keys to the Mariners’ series against the Toronto Blue Jays. Looking at their record right now, the Mariners stand at 13-17 and are currently five games back of the AL West leading Texas Rangers. Michael Saunders made his return this past week, picking up where he left off and looks as though he will be a solid player in 2013. Though it may still relatively early, the way he is swinging the bat is very promising. And it’s not only Saunders who is currently heating up.
NWSB Insider and Seattle Mariners blogger Clinton Bell brings us a special piece about the difference between the Mariners and the Seahawks. History shows us that teams get more fan support when they win, but even if defeat, the Seahawks fan base has been much more supportive than the Mariners. I give the ownership’s of these two teams credit for that. The Seahawks ownership is always moving forward, while the Mariners ownership seems content on being a lousy team.
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 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 Clinton Bell tells us to him the best “MY oh MY” play of the third week of the year had to be Felix Hernandez finally getting his 100th career win against the Houston Astros. What a difference. The Mariners scored as many runs in three innings tonight as they did in three games up in Arlington. Felix finally gets to the century mark, and the M’s unleashed the bats for 7 runs.
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 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 fifteenth game of the season versus the Detroit Tigers. The Tigers have a pretty impressive offensive lineup Jeff states, but he also says that the worst may not be here yet. He’s talking about the next two pitchers the M’s will face; Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander. Ex Mariner deck hand Doug Fister took it to the M’s Tuesday night, leaving the fans wondering why exactly Jack Z made that trade.
NWSB Insider and Seattle Mariners blogger Brandon Choate gives us his weekly M’s pitching breakdown in the arms under the spotlight segment. Felix Hernandez and Hisashi Iwakuma are pacing the other startes while Tom Wilhelmsen has been perfect in closingh situations. Kameron Loe and Brandon Maurer on the other hand would like to start this season over already. Loe is a Cub, now we get Aaron Harang, we’ll see how he does.
