Team Defense Watch
After 33 games, the Mariners have turned 12 fewer balls in play into outs than expected. This ranks them as having been the second-worst defense in the American League. The worst? Texas, at -20. The Rangers are complimenting a below-average pitching staff with an average infield and a below-average outfield, generating all of the results you'd expect and none of the ones that you wouldn't. Only making things worse is the fact that the pitchers have a collective K/9 of 4.7, meaning that not only is the defense bad, but it also has to deal with a non-stop barrage of balls off the bat. I guess this is one way to keep Josh Hamilton busy and out of trouble.
By the way, I might've been too quick to call Miguel Batista a liar. Ever since he "figured something out," he's put up a staggering swinging strike rate of 23% 16% (three starts), versus 13% a year ago and just 9% over his first four starts of 2008. Whether this actually means something has yet to be determined, but it's absolutely something to watch going forward. Swinging strikes are awesome.
LET'S GO MARINERS!!