Morosi: A’s are Mariners’ biggest threat in AL West

Despite a rough start to the season, the Seattle Mariners find themselves sitting atop the lackluster AL West in mid-June. And with their deep and talented roster, most prognosticators expect the M’s to run away with the division at some point.

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But of Seattle’s potential AL West challengers, who is the team to keep an eye on?

When asked that question Monday on Seattle Sports’ Wyman and Bob, MLB Network’s Jon Morosi went with the Athletics.

The A’s (36-36), who are sitting just a half-game behind the Mariners entering Tuesday, feature a formidable lineup that ranks second in the majors in OPS (.752), second in slugging percentage (.421), tied for fifth in home runs (95) and tied for 10th in runs per game (4.6). They’re led by reigning AL Rookie of the Year Nick Kurtz and slugging catcher Shea Langeliers, who are tied for ninth in the majors with 18 homers apiece.

That power-hitting potential is why Morosi sees the A’s as Seattle’s most dangerous threat – even with their struggling pitching staff, which ranks 27th in ERA (4.80).

Morosi isn’t confident the Texas Rangers (35-37) or Houston Astros (33-41) – who both have been ravaged by injuries – can kick into gear and solidify themselves as serious challengers.

“The team that to me is the scariest is still (the A’s), because they can mash,” Morosi said. “I think with the Rangers and the injuries, they just haven’t gotten going. They’re just still spinning in neutral. Obviously, the Astros are moving in the opposite direction to where they should be sellers at the (trade) deadline, without a doubt.

“I just look at the A’s as a team for which the arrow is still pointing up. They are just beginning to find out the kind of team they can be. And when I look at that lineup and they get hot, … they’re a team that I think is the one that I’m watching the most right now.”

Hear the full Wyman and Bob conversation with MLB Network’s Jon Morosi at this link or in the audio player above. Tune into Wyman and Bob live from 2-7 p.m. weekdays on Seattle Sports.

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