Mariners rotation finally has stability as they say goodbye to ‘TBD’
Jun 3, 2017, 2:18 PM | Updated: 3:50 pm
Christian Bergman has helped give the Mariners some stability in their starting rotation. (AP)
(AP)
Despite adversity, the Mariners managed to put up a .500 record in the month of May. And while June started with yet another loss of a key player, there is reason to believe the team is poised to take a step forward.
There is no way around the fact that even with Mitch Haniger returning soon from an oblique injury, losing Jean Segura hurts. The blow was perhaps muted a bit by the news that Nelson Cruz would not miss time, but losing the top hit guy in the American League of course leaves a dent. Others in the lineup, however, can pick up some of the slack.
Danny Valencia has upped his offense. Guillermo Heredia has shown he can provide consistent offense. Kyle Seager is heating up. They won’t put 12 runs on the board every night without Segura like they did in Game 1 against the Rays on Friday, but they will score runs. And with stability in the rotation, something believe it or not they seem to have now, the offense perhaps will not have to be leaned upon as heavily.
Mariners starters put up the second worst WAR and third worst ERA in the American League in May. Ten pitchers made starts in a month that “TBD” was featured on the probables quite often. The last time TBD was listed on the daily game notes was May 26. Rob Whalen made the start the next day, and since then, the Mariners have had a rotation of the James Paxton (who returned this week from injury), Ariel Miranda, Christian Bergman, Sam Gaviglio and Yovani Gallardo. Not what you envisioned when you started the year, but no question marks. Bergman and Gaviglio have been able to get into a regular routine and there has been no need to find someone to make a start here or there.
The impact of the TBDs? Chase De Jong, Ryan Weber, Dillon Overton, Rob Whalen and Chris Heston made a combined seven starts in May, surrendering 30 runs over a bullpen-taxing 32 innings – an average of just under 4 2/3 innings per start. With the steady contributions Gaviglio and Bergman in particular have been able to make, along with Felix Hernandez appearing to be on track for a return sometime during the next road trip, the starting pitching scramble should be in the rearview mirror.
If everyone stays healthy, the return of Felix will give the Mariners the opportunity to make a decision with the rotation rather than have to react to a situation. Regardless, what we are seeing at the start of the month of June with the starting five is better than what they went through the majority of the month of May with. That, coupled with a friendlier schedule, would appear to give the team a better opportunity for better results.
