Scott Servais, Seattle Mariners.
I have long been a defender of Seattle Mariners coach Scott Servais. Mainly he’s had a not nearly complete enough roster to compete at the level fans are expecting. But, on the other hand, he’s done a reasonably good enough job of getting his teams to compete. You don’t get a reputation as a players coach if players don’t believe in you.
For the most part, we as fans get the luxury of sitting at home watching the game and knowing only a portion of what is going on inside the locker room. We criticize his decisions after the player doesn’t perform as we want them. Our main point of thinking is that we know more than the head coach or that he made a “dumb” decision. When the fact of the matter is the manager a) made a good decision (based on the analytics), but the player didn’t hold up his end, or b) he was giving his player an opportunity to show what he can do when the stakes are high.
A perfect example is Servais putting in the young flamer thrower, Andres Munoz, to close out the extra-inning game on Sunday in Boston. Munoz is thought to be the Seattle Mariners’ closer of the future, and the team is leading in extra innings. So, this is a good test with Boston’s number 9, 1 & 2 hitters set to appear in the inning. Unfortunately, Munoz allows three straight singles before getting Trevor Story to fly out, bringing cleanup hitter Franchy Cordero to the plate, who promptly hits a walk-off grand slam.
How is Munoz supposed to feel the pressure of closing a major league game if he’s not given the opportunity? Simulating pressure is something that’s not possible. So, you have the trial by fire. Unfortunately, the Seattle Mariners got burned. Now for some context and the main point of this article.
Next: Page 2 – Confusion
As previously mentioned, I have defended Servais many times over. However, I am now wondering if maybe he is part of the problem? We saw him botch a pretty simple pitching change during this series in Boston. Servais decided it was time to turn to his bullpen. His starter, George Kirby, had already pitched five innings and was about to face the order for the third time. No problem here, as this is more common in today’s baseball.
Sergio Romo is the reliever that Servais is going with, and Romo’s been warming up. However, he tells Servais that he needs more time to get loose. So, Servais has Kirby go out to the mound (crossing the foul line) and throw some warm-up pitches. Then Servais makes the call to the bullpen to get Romo. Boston immediately calls foul play on Seattle. The rules are since Kirby entered play and warmed up, he has to face one batter before he can exit. Unless of course, there is an injury or a batter change.
Neither is the case, so Kirby faces Alex Verdugo, who starts a sixth-inning meltdown for the Seattle Mariners. After the game, Servais owns up to his mistake, which in today’s society of, not taking the blame is refreshing to see. However, it is a bit perplexing that Servais or anyone on his staff didn’t know the rule. Or that the umpire didn’t explain the rule clearly when Servais went to talk with him about changing the pitchers.
Next: Page 3 – Change of Heart
Now, going back to Sunday’s game in Boston. Paul Sewald is the Seattle Mariners’ best reliever. He entered the game in the ninth inning and left the game without allowing a single run. In the top of the tenth, the M’s take the lead. So, one would think that Sewald would stay out to finish off Boston and avoid a sweep. Especially knowing that Seattle is starting a series against Oakland. No, need to replay the painful bottom of the tenth inning again.
So, these two moves that pretty clearly affected the outcome have me wondering if Servais isn’t the man for the job? Now, I’m not saying he needs to be fired immediately. But, again, I don’t have an issue giving Munoz a shot to close out a major league game. It’s not easy to do, and it’s very easy for us fans to say, “closing out an MLB game is easy.” Especially since many fans probably never made it beyond grade school or high school baseball.
Again, I don’t expect Servais to be fired any time soon. The earliest would be after the season, and I’m not convinced even then. At least as of right now. This 2022 Seattle Mariners team, when healthy, might be the most complete roster he’s managed. He’s done a good job navigating the team’s struggles and injuries.
However, the Seattle Mariners are expected to be competing for the playoffs this season. So far, this season is not looking like it will be the year the playoff drought ends. Now, there is still plenty of time for it to turn around. However, everyone needs to be part of the solution and not part of the problem.