NorthWest Sports Blog brings you daily features on Oregon, Washington State, and BC amateur and pro sports teams.
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 Mariner’s writer Jon Irwin brings us his preseason review of the Mariner’s top pitching prospects. The Big Three headline this talented list of power arms and could-be-aces. Just remember not to sleep on closer of the future Carter Capps and potential top of the rotation pitcher Brandon Maurer. While Taijuan Walker has the longest to go of any of the big three, he has the most upside as well.
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 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 Clinton Bell tells us to him the best “MY oh MY” play of the first week of the year had to be the two homerun performance of Mariners OF, Michael Morse. Morse went deep in the 3rd, and 9th innings, en route to a 4 RBI game, and his first two homeruns on the year. A free agent signing that already seems to be paying off for Jack Z and the M’s
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 fourth game of the season versus the Oakland Athletics. Jeff points out the offensive production is hiding behind the power of Mike Morse, but it stinks like years past all the same. Power is often assimilated with the third spot in the lineup, which is absolutely something DH/OF Raul Ibanez possesses, but this is not a good place for him writes Jeff.
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.
NWSB Insider and Seattle Mariners blogger Clinton Bell brings us a different kind of Mariners piece today. This piece is about the Macklemore and Ryan Lewis song “My oh My.” An announcer like Dave will never be forgotten, but this video cements his legacy into our hearts a bit more than it already was. His catchphrases will be passed down from generation to generation as folk lore. We miss you Dave.
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.
