BRENT STECKER

Stecker’s 3 Things: Mariners add an impact arm at a crucial time

Jul 21, 2017, 6:00 AM | Updated: 12:17 pm

The Mariners could use reliever David Phelps as a set-up man or to throw multiple innings. (AP)...

The Mariners could use reliever David Phelps as a set-up man or to throw multiple innings. (AP)

(AP)

The Mariners returned home on a high note Thursday after a 5-1 road trip, but the Yankees rode a huge performance by flame-throwing starter Luis Severino to push Seattle back under .500. There are still three games to go in the series, though, and if the Mariners win them all they’ll find themselves ahead of New York for the second wild-card spot in the American League, which the Yankees currently hold.

Here are some things to keep in mind as the Mariners continue a very important homestand this weekend:

1. The Mariners have their “bridge” pitcher.

General manager Jerry Dipoto has fired his opening salvo of the trade season, sending four prospects to Miami for veteran right-handed reliever David Phelps on Thursday. It had been expected that the Mariners would add to their bullpen before the July 31 trade deadline, and Phelps certainly fits the description of what they wanted. In fact, he fits the bill of what has been the trend in bullpens for the past few years. I’ll let Dipoto take it from there: “David Phelps can serve as just about anything we need him to be, whether it’s a multi-inning middle man or a set-up man in the eighth who comes in with more strikeout-type stuff,” Dipoto told “Danny, Dave and Moore” on Thursday. Sounds a little like how the Indians use Andrew Miller or the Astros employ Chris Devenski, doesn’t it? Now, you shouldn’t expect the same type of dominance from Phelps, but don’t be surprised if he has a real positive impact for the Mariners. Dipoto and manager Scott Servais are looking for him to be the so-called “bridge” pitcher who can get the Mariners from a starter to closer Edwin Diaz in close games, and he’s plenty capable with a fastball that jumped considerably in velocity when he switched full-time to the bullpen in 2016 as well as veteran savvy that’s helped him become one of the league leaders in holds the last two seasons. “He went from a guy who was probably about an average of 91-ish with his fastball to averaging closer to 95,” Dipoto said. “He developed a cutter that’s become a real weapon for him, and he’s always had a well above-average curveball. … He’s particularly hard to hit. The league is hitting sub-.200 against him.” Be ready to see a lot of Phelps – not just because that’s the role the Mariners have for him this season, but because the 30-year-old is under contract through next season, as well.

2. The reason the Mariners needed a “bridge” pitcher.

At various times this year, the pitching rotation and offense have carried the Mariners through winning streaks. The latest run, however, belonged to the bullpen. It’s a big reason why Dipoto pulled the trigger on acquiring Phelps when he did, too. Seattle had to use its relievers more than preferred over the last week due to a pair of extra-inning games, though luckily the group was (for the most part) able to either take care of business or bend without breaking. Diaz has been back to his electric self, looking like a superstar closer by allowing no runs on just one hit and two walks during a run of five saves in six days. Nick Vincent has emerged as a quality set-up man, as the run he gave up on Monday is the only time a team has scored on him over his last nine appearances. Lefty specialist Marc Rzepczysnki has looked much better in his last two appearances, which came on the heels of two straight outings where he faced one batter and didn’t record an out. And Steve Cishek is finally looking like himself after returning in May from offseason surgery, as nine of his last 10 appearances have been scoreless. The Mariners needed reinforcements for the taxed crew, however, which is where Phelps comes in. He might not be the only addition, though he might be the only one coming from another team. Seattle could also soon have hard-throwing Shae Simmons in the bullpen for the first time this season as he’s getting close to the end of his rehab assignment.

3. Maple Grove vs. King’s Court.

James Paxton was basically the best pitcher in baseball in April. Then a forearm strain happened, and when he came back off the disabled list, he struggled to find his footing again. Well, consider that footing found. Paxton twirled his fifth straight quality start in a 4-1 win over the division-leading Astros on Wednesday, and his ERA is back down to 3.05 after reaching a season-high 3.44 on June 26. The Big Maple, as the tall left-hander from across the border in British Columbia has become known, has made subtle improvements in his stat line throughout his current streak. In the second of the five starts, he allowed just one run on two hits over 6 1/3 innings. The next one, he made it through the seventh inning. Following that, he didn’t issue a walk on July 14, the first time he’d done that since May 31. And in the win over Houston he put it all together, going seven innings, allowing just one run, issuing only one walk and striking out seven along the way. At Safeco Field during his most recent starts, a grassroots section in the left field bleachers has appeared, calling itself The Maple Grove in tribute to Paxton. The symbolism is clear. Just like Felix Hernandez has King’s Court, the fans have deemed him worthy of a section dedicated to him during his starts in the stadium because they think he’s ready to take over the mantle of Mariners ace. More good news for the Mariners is that Felix has shown that he’s not giving up the title without a fight. The King has allowed just two earned runs over his last three starts (18 innings), including a vintage seven-inning outing on Thursday night, holding the Yankees to a run on three hits while striking out nine. The Mariners could still use another quality starter to help out a shaky rotation – though Friday’s acquisition of lefty Marco Gonzales certainly didn’t hurt – so Paxton and Hernandez pitching to the best of their abilities could not come at a better time.

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Stecker’s 3 Things: Mariners add an impact arm at a crucial time