Series Thread: Mariners @ Giants: 4/3/18 - 4/4/18

[MarinersBestFan]

That is the major thing some people have an issue with, though they don't realize the contract actually wasn't bad for the time. Though I don't really care, dude is a streaky hitter that can carry them for a couple of weeks and has put up great numbers for a guy who was never suppose to be a starter in the majors.

Kyle Seager is a serviceable 3b and as you stated considering his 3rd round draft status ... was a rare bright spot for the M's considering our track record of 1st round busts.

Contrary to me always dissing on him here, I am pulling for him big time as the Mariners overall success is hitched to the Kyle Seager wagon ( among others )

Side note*

How nice is it to look at the AL West standings and see our Ms sitting at 3-1 to start a season ?

Is it just a few games in ? of course we all know that.

And yea they are the same .500 team they were down in Peoria... but just seeing a decent start to the season renders a glimpse of hope that this team is capable of putting together a season that can truly make the fans feel like there is a little hope for something special to happen. Which is after all is what any fan wishes for. Just something to cheer about and dream 'what if'

Win lose or draw it looks like the 2018 Mariners are poised and ready to make the opposition post up some runs to beat them. wasn't too long ago in Mariners lore where the game was basically over as soon as the other team got 3 runs. The line up we are putting out there is a really good one. Speed and high avg top of the order - followed up with a HOF 1st rounder that consistantly squares the ball up and is a tough out any day of the week. Then you have the leagues best HR hitter over the past 4-5 years. Then hopefully a combination of Seager - Haniger - Healy which should total by Sept ( combined 75 HR - 250+ rbi between them ) Then steps in I believe the next premiere catcher in the league who can hit the ball as far as any of the big boys in all of MLB ( Cruz Judge Stanton )

We have 4 healthy starting pitchers who know they can give up a few runs and still give us a chance to win. They have the safety net of I believe a better than league avg bullpen anchored by one of the newest premiere closers Diaz. The reason most closers don't strike out 1/3 to 1/2 the batters they face is because it simply ain't easy to do when the game is on the line and the hitter is thinking: just make contact with the ball. Diaz is something special and we are lucky to have him

 

[wazzu31]

I'd put Seager above the serviceable label. A serviceable anything is hoping you get either good offense or good defense, not both which even at .260 his offensive production is more than enough for a 2B who has turned into a good fielding 3B.

 

[Anointed One]

I don’t have a problem with Seager at third, but I do have an issue with his spot in the lineup. When we have someone like Haniger lighting it up there’s no reason Kyle shouldn’t get shifted lower in the order with Haniger moving up. Cano-Cruz-Haniger is murderers row right now. Time for skip to make the move.

I get that but with Cruz at 4th, Seager at #5 and Haniger at 6th, it gives us Right, Left, Right AB in the lineup, which I believe is playing in part with their decision to keep him at #5... He's definitely not a better hitter than Haniger though...

 

[wazzu31]

I get that but with Cruz at 4th, Seager at #5 and Haniger at 6th, it gives us Right, Left, Right AB in the lineup, which I believe is playing in part with their decision to keep him at #5... He's definitely not a better hitter than Haniger though...

I don't think the L/R/L thing is as big of a deal anymore in baseball as there are so many specialists. And besides if Seager is struggling they can bring in a lefty to face Cano then walk Cruz. With mound visits cut down maybe it is beneficial now but I'm still waiting to see how the mound visit thing shakes out for pitching changes. It's cut down catcher trotting out but haven't noticed anything with managers.

 

[MarinersBestFan]

I don't think the L/R/L thing is as big of a deal anymore in baseball as there are so many specialists. And besides if Seager is struggling they can bring in a lefty to face Cano then walk Cruz. With mound visits cut down maybe it is beneficial now but I'm still waiting to see how the mound visit thing shakes out for pitching changes. It's cut down catcher trotting out but haven't noticed anything with managers.

I feel the same about lefty righty

Some hitters have really skewed out of whack numbers and struggle against one or the other... but most veteran hitters deal with it pretty well.

i am a firm believer in putting the hot bat in the 5 hole to keep the big inning going. Also gives Haniger Seager and Healy and even Zunino incentive to be THAT GUY. Competition is good.

Its Seagers job to lose right now. I hope he gets hot and keeps the spot. But if he struggles over a week or 2... you gotta make the switch and stick in someone who is raking the ball.

 

[JMR]

I think the point with the lineup construct is that there really isnt just one consideration. Several factors in play. We hear all the time about "protecting" this hitter by having that hitter behind him. Maybe Haniger is indeed a "better" hitter than Seager right now, but 1) Haniger still only has 2 good months of hitting total at the MLB level, and 2) Seager is still a "good" hitter.

 

[JMR]

I
Its Seagers job to lose right now. I hope he gets hot and keeps the spot. But if he struggles over a week or 2... you gotta make the switch and stick in someone who is raking the ball.

Make a change on a proven commodity like Seager after a week or 2 of a 6 month season? Major League managers thankfully don't think this way.

 

[Sharkonabicycle]

C'mon Seager...

 

[Duders]

Little bit different of a start today. Dee did his job and Mitch just about made it happen but a walk was OK. Wish Seag would have come through but at least he didn't K out.

 

[Duders]

Felix does not have the control today. It's like a snowball rolling down the hill now.

 

[Sharkonabicycle]

Good lord Felix.

 

[SeattleCoug]

2017 Felix is back

 

[Duders]

Well I see we have an ump at the plate who is missing some calls. Ichiro's 3rd strike was high out of the zone.

 

[Duders]

Well, I guess I see how this one is going.

 

[Duders]

Dee is the man!! The guy has it all going for him.

 

[MarinersBestFan]

These are the early season games the Mariners will find what kind of team they are

Are you gonna roll over and play dead or get mad dog crazy and fight your way back into the game ?

Felix has to settle in and get thru a few easy innings and the offense has to peck away with a few runs over the next 3-4 innings

 

[Mariners_44]

Way to go Seager! Status quo...leaves two stranded.

On a side note, is that Eddie Lacy on the mound for SF?

 

[AceKeptic]

Game over, already?

You can change the roster, but you can't change the trademark Mariner Way.

 

[Duders]

Well, this just isn't the M's game today. Too many things just are not going their way.

 

[AceKeptic]