8/2: Open game thread

Today I woke up and made good on a drunken commitment to a friend that I would join him in what is apparently called a "run." It was truly awful--I guess when you go on a "run," you just...well, run. And then when your body starts hurting like hell because you are making it do things which are not fun, you just...keep going. What the hell? There are no couches, no beer, no sleeping in. Then you sweat, and the sweat leaks through your clothes and makes embarrassing marks all over, and I still can't understand why anyone would do this.

Anyway, while I was out running I started to think about the Mariners (I know, real fun hour of my life here). I couldn't shake from my head the one central question that dwarfs this season like a murder of crows blotting out the sun. That is, precisely, Why?

Why, exactly did this season go so wrong? Was it the bullpen, as Lloyd believes? Was it the acquisition of Mark Trumbo at a crucial point in the year? Was it the inexplicable lack of ability to hit with runners in scoring position? And if that last one is indeed the case, then the even more difficult question remains: why would a team filled with above average hitters suddenly stop hitting whenever a man touched second base? There must be a reason beyond simple luck, and whatever that reason is, in the end, should be the number one thing the Mariners seek to fix in this offseason, even past firing Jack Z (which yes), restructuring the Minor League development system, or rearranging the Major League staff.

Anyway, I thought about this and then came home and wanted to throw up because I hurt everywhere, and now I think I'm going to do it all again next week. Kind of like watching this team. Speaking of which,

Game Info

• Mariners @ Twins, 11:10 AM PST
• TV: ROOT
• Radio: 710 ESPN, KIRO 97.3 FM