Stacy: What we learned about the Mariners from 2 insiders

Put an ugly loss to the Astros in the rearview, because there’s still plenty to be high on when it comes to the Seattle Mariners’ hot start to the season.

Which Mariners will be 2025 All-Stars? A look at six players’ chances

Seattle is in first place in a weak American League. And while they’re flawed — and not healthy — there’s reason to be optimistic about a strong run (especially if one particular bat heats up).

Here’s what stands out from two big interviews this week on Bump and Stacy.

Ryan Rowland-Smith thinks Julio is ‘on the verge’ of breaking out

Mariners broadcaster Ryan Rowland-Smith made an appearance Thursday to preview the Mariners’ upcoming series against the Houston Astros… and mention a weird turn of events his week has taken.

Rowland-Smith, an Australian, took some time at the start of his interview to thank Mariners fans for their support after he was mocked for his accent.

“First of all, this is the first time I’ve had a chance to publicly say thank you,” Rowland-Smith said. “To all the Mariners community out there, I love you guys. Just the overwhelming support, it kind of opened up other people’s opinions. So, it’s been really nice to watch. Again, I will say this, I don’t need an apology. I’m not a victim here at all.”

Rowland-Smith also gave a show of support to Mariners blogger and popular statistician Luke Arkins, who was also a recipient of a personal shot.

“Luke, he’s brilliant,” he said. “I know he’s been through a lot in the last year. He’s a big part of the Mariners community.”

Rowland-Smith added that he’s leaned on Arkins’ statistics at times on Mariners broadcasts, and had a critique of the critique against himself.

“With me, hey, you’ve got to do better than the accent, let me tell you,” he said.

Now onto the actual Mariners analysis.

First up: Julio Rodríguez.

“There are so many things that are so positive about what we’re seeing from him right now,” Rowland-Smith said. “I know he jumped on that first pitch against the White Sox and he’s swinging at, you know, I think it’s 50-54% on the first pitch, which is No. 2 in baseball. You go back to this time last year, the big thing with him was he’s got to be more patient and have more discipline because that then turns into less swing and miss late in the count.

“But he said this to (ROOT Sports reporter) Brad Adam just the other night: I’m going up ready to swing the minute I leave the dugout. I’m geared up, I want to see a pitch, I don’t want the guy to get into a rhythm, I don’t want to see him with two strikes.”

Rowland-Smith explained the impact that will have on how pitchers will approach Rodríguez.

“What’s going to happen is guys are going to try and spin a breaking ball first pitch, he’s going to spit on it, and guess what, he’s going to be in better counts. … I just feel like he’s right on the verge of just absolutely exploding offensively.”

Rodríguez was a late scratch from Thursday’s lineup with back tightness and is day to day (some positive postgame updates here), but let’s hope he’s able to return and keep building on this.

ESPN’s Schoenfield has high expectations for M’s… if they can get healthy

If only it were so easy!

Still, if the Mariners can work their way back to full health — or some semblance of it — ESPN baseball analyst David Schoenfield believes they can be one of the most competitive teams in the American League.

“The key for Seattle, obviously, is whether that rotation is going to get healthy,” Schoenfield said. “What are we going to get from George Kirby and Logan Gilbert when they’re back? Are they going to be OK the rest of the year? Same thing with Bryce Miller.”

He sees Seattle as the third-best team in a weak American League (fitting, since they’ve literally got the third-best record). So yes, a loss to the Astros stings. But it’s pedal to the metal when you’re still in first place of the AL West, because this season it’s anyone’s game.

“It’s a total crapshoot,” Schoenfield said of the AL. “Houston, Rangers, they’re both kind of struggling to score runs. The Twins just had this unbelievable winning streak. Cleveland I’m not buying at all. And the Red Sox, who I thought might be pretty good, haven’t been as good – they’re 23-25. So I see New York and Detroit in the playoffs and I don’t know about the other teams.”

More on the Seattle Mariners

• Mariners’ George Kirby encouraged despite rocky return
• Mariners get more good news for banged-up rotation
• State of the AL West: Who is first-place Mariners’ competition?
• Salk: Seattle Mariners’ new identity is resilient and relentless
• Prospects giving first-place Seattle Mariners a good problem

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