Mariners Enter the Thunderdome

The Mariners got thumped in that final game, but it was a positive series all in all. They only scored ten runs in the three games, but had many more base runners with 41 total. Such a number usually leads to more than just ten runs scored. With this series in Texas, I'm expecting fireworks and that annoying FSN horn courtesy of the Rangers' bats. Hopefully the Mariners can reciprocate at least a little.

The Mariners face nothing but playoff contending teams from here on out. Six games against the Rangers, six games against the Angels (beat them! beat them bad!), three more with Oakland and three versus the Orioles. It could be a painful stretch if you care about wins and losses, especially as the Mariners transition into playing more younger kids while the other teams are in no position to rest their primary starters.

So far this season the Mariners are 6-7 against the Rangers, 7-9 against the Athletics, 5-8 against the Angels and 1-5 against the Orioles.

P/PA = pitches per PA [avg~3.8], nBB = uBB + HBP, Sw = swinging [avg~45%], Ct = contact [avg~81%], Qual+ = a measure of quality of batted balls [avg=100, higher is better]

Adrian Beltre is a monstrous beast at the plate lately. However, he also has just one walk to 12 strikeouts over the span that he's been hitting every baseball for a hit. He's a bit dinged up in the shoulder, though he started yesterday, so we'll see if he plays all three games.

Park factors and all that, but Adrian Beltre has been a legitimately amazing player since he left the Mariners. Sad face. He was underrated while here, because too many people expected that he had to hit like he's hitting now to be worth it. He was worth it for great defense and an average bat alone, but now he has great defense and a great bat.

Yay, Franklin Gutierrez and Michael Saunders being back!

Many people have and will remark on this being a rare all-Japanese starting pitcher match up. I'm more dreading this as a match up between two of the slowest pitchers in all of baseball.

Please no home runs, please no home runs, please no hom--aww.

I think this start might go to Hector Noesi? It hasn't been changed on the probable starter list yet if so and that's what I go by. I prefer my life be entirely automated.

Str% = strike rate [avg~63%], Ct% = contact rate [avg~78%], GB% = groundball rate [avg~45%], Qual- = a measure of quality of batted balls [avg=100, lower is better], LI = leverage [avg~1.2]

Interesting note, this season the Mariners are 24-24 in one-run games with a (duh) even run differential of 150-150

Series Drink: Pyramid Barleywine Ale
I don't think I've mentioned Pyramid brewing before in this space. They're sort of ubiquitous and while that can lead to one being over looked and under appreciated, I don't think that's really the case with Pyramid; their fine but not outstanding.

Their seasonal release of a barleywine ale is good however, and it comes in 12oz. bottles. I appreciate that because a little barleywine goes a long way and I'm tired of having to buy 22oz'ers.