Seattle Mariners (2021 Daily Playthrough)

[pauwoo]

I think that I’ve shared this, but, if not, the National League has been settled… take a gander if you wish…


159 of 162: Daulton Jeffries (9-7, 3.93) @ Matthew Boyd (12-11, 4.36)
Win, 3-2. Boyd threw beebee’s for 7.1 innings, fanned 14, and allowed the only two runs the Athletics could muster in this one – his 14 Ks are a season best, his 4th time reaching double-digits, and 2 better than the 12 he put on the board back in June (also against the A’s) – and Big Baby Joc Pederson came correct with the game-winning, walk off, solo jack that ended things jubilantly for our fans. Oakland’s Matt Chapman put his 44th ball out of the park, our own Kolten Wong drove one in on a single, Fletcher managed to plate, and Taylor Trammell will get a stern talking to after getting caught with his hand in the honeypot late in the game… two double-plays in this one as well, so the defense stayed stout. A good, satisfying win for us, an upsetting, disappointing loss for Oakland who now find themselves ½ a game behind New York for the final WC spot with only one regular-season series remaining.


Elsewhere: Detroit’s Spencer Torkelson gave his clubs fans something to look forward to with a 3 for 4 day at the plate that included THREE DING DONGS, SIX RBI, and THREE RUNS during the Tigers 10-9 LOSS against Whoa Nellie Cruz and the Minnesota Twins. Speaking of… not to be outdone, everyone’s favorite Edgar Martinez Award Recipient (2x, player), Nelson Cruz, put two out of the park in the very same contest and drove in 6 RBI of his own, including the two during the bottom of the 9th that put an end to this thing in unceremonious fashion for Detroit fans.

Record: 107-52, .672, 1st AL West
Up Next: A much-needed day of rest before we finish this slog off with a 3-game set against the star-studded Angels of Los Angeles…

[pauwoo]

Monthly Award winners… 1B Luke Voit (NYY) hit for .318 with 16 dingers, 26 RBI, and 24 runs to win BotM in the AL while the other New York’s Pete Alonso got on base at a .340 clip, punched out 15, and drove in 38 to win it in the NL. Our own Marco Gonzales took home Pitcher of the Month honors in the AL after finishing the month 4-0 in 5 starts with a 1.43 ERA, and New York’s Marcus Stroman went 3-0 in September with a 1.47 ERA in 5 starts to take home that same honor in the National League.

Los Angeles Angels (95-64, .597, 2nd AL West) @ Seattle Mariners (107-52, .673, 1st AL West)
While we’ve put together an improbable, outlandish even, 107-win season so far, the Los Angeles Angels have quietly amassed the 2nd best record in the American League at 95-64. And, while their offense has been solid, dependable even, their three-headed monster of Trout-Rendon-Ohtani hasn’t had full command of all their powers for most of the season as the Angels have relied, instead, on their pitching to win the day. Ranked 1st in Bullpen ERA, 2nd in Runs Against, 4th in Starters ERA, and 5th in FIP, the Los Angeles Angels staff has surprised even the staunchest of believers… it would have been as impossible to predict this staff’s ascension as it would’ve to predict our own legendary fortune. But here we are, closing out the season, head-to-head, as, arguably, the two best teams in the American League. No matter how you frame it up – this will be a tough set for us, and, while the fact that the Angels come in as losers in their last four is not lost on me, I care less about wins here and more bout staying injury free as we head into the postseason.

160 of 162: Jose Quintana (14-8, 4.29) @ Logan Gilbert (12-5, 3.29)
Win, 9-1. The result, after a 7-run bottom of the 4th, was never really in doubt here – Logan gave us a stellar 7-inning outing, fanned 7 while keeping things scoreless through the stretch, and Joc Pederson raked with a 3 for 4 day that included a towering 3-run DING DONG and 2 runs. Kelenic went 3 for 4 with a double and scored, Wong put his 10th ball over the fence, K-Lew & Fletch would add two-baggers of their own, and we’d secure 14 hits as a club against the Angels’ much-ballyhooed staff. Can’t stop, won’t stop… it’s a tale of two cities here – while we’ve seemingly stepped on the gas, winning 5-straight, the Angels have dropped 5 consecutively and are in something of a downward spiral as we close out the season. Our Lady of Blessed Acceleration, don't fail us now…


Elsewhere: Paul DeJong, of the NL Central winning St. Louis Cardinals, went 3 for 4 with a two-bagger, TWO DING DONGS, 5 RBI, 3 runs, and a walk during his clubs 13-0 dismantling of the Chicago Cubs to help secure their NL-best 99th win of the season. St. Louis starter, Seth Elledge, also came correct during a tip-top, 7-inning, 1-hit performance that included 11 Ks to kick some dirt in the face of their 63-win, down-on-their-luck, division rival Cubs.

Record: 108-52, .675, 1st AL West
Up Next: At home, in front of the Mariners faithful, with the Angels looking back at us from the other side of the diamond once more…