General manager Jerry Dipoto is the architect of the Seattle mariners rebuild.
Why did we use a picture of a smiling GM, Jerry Dipoto? The Seattle Mariners are finally in a playoff race. It’s been a few years since that’s been the case. This 2021 team is reminding me more and more of the 1995 team.
There are some, if not many, Seattle Mariner fans who think they will fall during the second half. They took two out of three from the Angels, followed by splitting the two-game series with Colorado. The Mariners could have taken both had they not gone with the bullpen day. Against the Oakland A’s, the Mariners took three out of four. The trading deadline will end on Friday, July 30. So, how the Mariners do the rest of the season may come from who they pick up.
The Seattle Mariners have Jarred Kelenic and catcher Cal Raleigh, another top pick in 2018, for the second half of the season. Kelenic hasn’t done much better than he did in the first half. However, the team expects him to continue to improve. An important note is he isn’t at the top of the order. The bottom of the batting hasn’t done well for most of the season.
So, it’s ok to have Kelenic there anyway. Also, Raleigh got off to a slow start as well. However, he did hit some good balls. He now has his first hit and home run out of the way. I expect Kelenic will continue to get better during the second half. How much better is anyone’s guess. Raleigh has shown he has done well behind the plate especially blocking balls and working with the pitchers.
Cal Raleigh, Tacoma Rainiers.
Evan White won’t return this season after having surgery. This is having Scott Servais getting creative with his lineups and defense. Ty France is playing well at first base. Although, he isn’t White in the field. The Seattle Mariners have Jake Bauers playing some first base along with the outfield. The Mariners have Luis Torrens, who is playing well on his return to the Mariners. He’s currently playing the occasional first base, some behind the plate and being the designated hitter.
How many catchers may depend on whether the Seattle Mariners move Tom Murphy? The suspension of Hector Santiago will be over soon, which will bring the Mariners back to full strength of a 26 man roster. This will allow the Mariners to be better able to maneuver how much the bullpen is being used. Also, Jake Fraley should be back from the covid list soon as well.
Recently, the Seattle Mariners activated Casey Sadler during the Oakland A’s series. Giving more hope for the bullpen. Drew Steckenrider, Paul Sewald, and Kendall Graveman are currently the pitchers in the seventh, eighth and ninth innings. Well, Graveman was until his trade to Houston. Rafael Montero was included in that trade as well. Also, JT Chargois is doing a fine job, being the first man out of the bullpen. Santiago can be valuable as a long reliever. A weak spot in the Mariners bullpen. Erik Swanson can be used in that spot, too, as a former starting pitcher.
The trade deadline is coming up on Friday. Getting someone to take over second base will be a good idea. For the most part, Dylan Moore is having a poor season. He’s not even been able to get over the Mendoza line. The right second baseman can move Kyle Seager out of the third or fourth spot in the batting order. Seager has had his moments and is second behind Mitch Haniger in home runs and RBI’s. However, his inconsistency isn’t helping the Mariners. Haniger is now heading towards 30 home runs. Haniger and JP Crawford have to be their two best players along with France this season.
J.P. Crawford and Kyler Seager. Seattle Mariners.
So, will the Seattle Mariners make the playoffs? I don’t know for sure. However, the way they have been playing, why not! The starting pitching, along with the offense, has been inconsistent, and they keep on winning. Mostly with all the one-run games they won, as well as in extra innings. All the Mariners have to do is win at a pace just around the .500 mark.
So far, the flaws haven’t stopped them from being on the winning track. Not to mention the bullpen days have hurt them but keep coming back. This isn’t the Seattle Mariners of old, that is for sure. The key is to keep playing how they are in winning close games and don’t go on a long losing streak. In my opinion, they can overtake the A’s. However, will that be good enough? We will see. Another thing is they’ll need to beat the Rays and the Yankees too. Both teams will give the Mariners good reason to win those series in early August. Go M’s.
What are your thoughts on the second half? Let us know in the comments section below or on social media.