MLB
If you’re not already on the Seattle Mariners bandwagon, I’d join now if I were you. Sure, the team has a long and storied history of choking at the last minute. Yes, the 2003 Mariners were the last team to have the best record through this many games and still miss the playoffs. Yes, Robinson Canó is still suspended. But that doesn’t mean this team isn’t playing great baseball. Actually, they’re playing better baseball without Canó than they played with him. The Mariners are good this year.
Hot on the Heels of the Champs
The defending World Series champion Astros are currently on a 12-game win streak. The overlooked, undervalued Mariners are only 2 games behind them in the West. The Mariners are coming off a weekend series in which they beat the Boston Red Sox. The Sox are currently tied for the top position in the AL East. Tonight they start a three-game series against the New York Yankees, the team Boston is currently tied with. They split their series two weeks ago with the Astros. They had a blow out 7-1 win over Houston to open, and lost a close one 7-5 to close.
Second Base
Dee Gordon joined this team to play centre field. Canó had second base on lock, and Gordon’s speed made Jerry Dipoto willing to take a chance on him. So the first part of the season wasn’t great as he made the transition. But now? He’s a better second baseman than Canó. Canó is great, but he doesn’t have the hustle that Gordon has, defensively or on the base paths. Doubles magically turn into singles when the ball is hit by Canó. Dee Gordon doesn’t have that problem, and he’s a big part of why the Mariners are good this year.
Mitch Haniger
If Mitch Haniger doesn’t make the All-Star team in a month, then something is wrong with the world. The Mariners right fielder is on fire. His bat is explosive, and his fielding is Kevin Pillar-level impressive. If he hadn’t spent so much time on the DL last season, he could’ve been in the conversation for rookie of the year. He would’ve lost to Judge, but that’s beside the point. This year, Haniger is making up for lost time. He’s out to prove to the baseball world that he is good. And so far he isn’t disappointing.
New Ace in Town
Big Maple is having a career season, which is part of why this year’s Mariners are good. Since an eagle landed on him during home opener in Minnesota, he hasn’t looked back. The man doesn’t have a loss since then. He pitched a no-hitter in his home and native land against his country’s team. It was a thing of beauty, and I didn’t breathe through the entire ninth inning. I would like to add that that was his first career complete game. It came on the heels of a 16 strikeout game. James Paxton is a beast, and an ace, and a wild card/game 1 ALDS starter. Felix might have gotten the Opening Day spot, but Pax has earned the postseason.
Strikeout Central
Shall we talk about Edwin Diaz? He is getting a lot of work this season, as many of the Mariners’ games are very close. The 24-year-old closer is at 27 saves so far this season out of 30 opportunities. He has 62 strikeouts. If he reaches 50 saves, manager Scott Servais has said he’ll get the same hairstyle that Diaz has. With Diaz more than halfway there a month away from the All-Star break, Servais is already talking to barbers in the Seattle area.
The Mariners are Good
The 2018 Seattle Mariners are good. It has taken me this long to truly accept it. I don’t know how to be a fan of a Mariners team that is 20 games above .500, but I’m doing my best. It’s hard to get fully invested in a team that has the longest playoff drought in major sports. Baseball will break your heart, just ask 2017 Dodgers fans (of which I am one). But I survived the Dodgers’ game 7 loss with minimal scarring (I will never not be mad that Alex Wood didn’t get that start), and I shall survive the 2018 season as well. I’m pinning all my hopes on these Mariners. Buckle up, kids. This could be the ride of your life.
Written by Susannah Schmidt
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