|
August 23rd-24th
2-game Series at Oakland A's
The Mariner's are riding high right now with a surprising 2 game lead over the A's for the #2 Wildcard coming into Oakland. These will be the first 2 of 10 games that the 2 clubs will play each other over the course of the last 38 games. It literally is "every game counts" and especially these against the A's. While the odds are long, if the Mariners were to somehow sweep this 2 game series it would put them up 4 games. While certainly not an insurmountable margin, it would certainly be better than leaving the Bay Area tied. While the Mariners have been 14-8 since the trade deadline while the A's have struggled at a game below 500.
Here are the pitching matchups for this critical 2-game series
Seattle Mariners 69-55 @ Oakland A's 67-57
Eric Swanson 0-1 2.80 vs Chris Bassitt 11-4 3.73
Chris Flexen 12-6 3.61 vs Cole Irvin 8-10 3.49
Monday August 23rd
Seattle Mariners 5 @ Oakland A's 2
SP Eric Swanson pitched into the 6th inning picking up his first victory of the season (1-1 2.66) allowing just 4 hits and a walk in 5.1 IP. Dylan Moore hit a first inning home run (#13) and then 3B Kyle Seager with a huge insurance 2-run home run (#25) as the Mariner's continued their winning ways and increased their lead in the AL Wildcard to 3 games over the slumping A's
Tuesday August 24th
Seattle Mariners 8 @ Oakland A's 5
The slumping A's dropped their 6th straight game and fall to 4 games off the pace of the jubilant Seattle club. Today SP Chris Flexen won his 13th game (13-6) despite not being sharp. 1B Ty France only had 1 hit on the day, but it was a big bases clearing RBI-double in the 6th that gave the M's the lead. France (hitting 275 on the season) was 1-3 with a walk and 4 RBI's which more than made up for his 1st error of the season in the field.
The Mariner's have an off-day on Wednesday before coming home to start a 4-game series against the Kansas City Royals on Thursday.
On Wednesday afternoon a very happy team owner John Stanton was again down in Tacoma having lunch at another local pizza eatery on the waterfront (Katie Downs). He is joined by his consultant Tim Herman who is trying to keep the owner calm.
Tim Herman - John, yes it is great but you have to understand that this is not over. The New York Yankees are now tied with the A's behind Seattle in the Wildcard and are red hot. They have won 7 in a row and are starting to get some key players back. The A's also are not going to continue to lose like they have been. So while a 4 game lead is great there are still 36 very important game remaining. The club has to continue to play well for the next 6 weeks, any slip and that 4 game lead will quickly disappear.
John Stanton - I know but we need to get ready to celebrate the first playoff appearance in Seattle in 20 years. Do you realize how big this is? I know I have been talking to you about joining the organization and the President of Baseball Operations, but you have to admit that its looking like we should be offering contract extensions for Jerry and Scotty.
Tim Herman - Maybe, but I would like to see this thing into September. Hold off for 2 more weeks and if the club is still in the drivers seat, even though it could change in September. Then I would say you probably have to do it.
John Stanton - Your still skeptical?
Tim Herman - I am looking at a schedule that while we have some games we should win, there are also 6 against the Astros still, 8 versus the A's and even a series against the Red Sox. So while we do not play the Yankees that is still 17 games against quality playoff caliber teams. I am just not ready to think that it is over just yet. I hope it is, the city and fans have waited a long time for this club to do something positive.
John Stanton - Man where do you find these pizza places? This is the best "Chicago Style" type pizza I have here in the Northwest.
Summary - The Mariners are now 16-8 since the trade deadline. While the acquisition of Tyler Anderson has not worked out well at all (he is 0-2 in 5 starts with a 9.72 ERA as a Mariner) the club has still managed to win games. Could this be the end of the longest playoff drought in North American Sports today? 20 years of futility....over? Stay tuned.
|