The sinking of the Mariners

[SPTO]

Well I think we can all but count the Mariners out. Ok numerically they still have a great shot but watching the series against the Jays they look like a team that's truly bewildered and can't come through in the clutch AT ALL.

They're going to NY and I have feeling they're gonna get their collective brains beaten up. I wonder if this will affect McClaren's tryout to be permanent manager? (or has he already been named new manager for next year?) Anyways I hate seeing teams fold up like a cheap suitcase but that's exactly what's happening in Seattle.

[ComfortablyLomb]

Re: The sinking of the Mariners

They look terrible right now. Even worse, on ESPN today I saw Steve Phillips pick them to get hot soon. They're doomed. I think Stephen A. Smith disagreed with him but it was hard to tell since Stephen A. Smith's vocal inflection is close to that of a foghorn with laryngitis.

[dieselboy]

Re: The sinking of the Mariners

Seattle is two games back of NY in the wildcard. Lets see what happens in this three game series before we say they are done. They have been a streaky team all year.

[Coug00]

Re: The sinking of the Mariners

They look terrible right now. Even worse, on ESPN today I saw Steve Phillips pick them to get hot soon.

I don't agree with Phillips, but he's not far out there with that prediction. I think this is the 3rd time this season the M's have had at least a 7 or 8 game losing streak. The previous two times they immediately turned things around becoming the hottest team in baseball each time.

However, I think most of us M's fans knew their success wasn't sustainable. The bats couldn't stay hot forever and the starting rotation doesn't have the ability to pick up the slack. What's amazing is that every hitter in the lineup (except for Joh) has gone into a severe slump simultaneously.

McLaren better not be back next season. I've said it in the Mariner thread, but he's far and away the worst gameday manager I've ever witnessed. The guy is spineless to the pressures of veterans and he lacks the basic fundamental understanding of constructing a lineup or using his bullpen.

Just this week with a late 2 run lead, runners on 2nd and 3rd, 1st base open, Vladimir Guerrero at the plate, Garrett Anderson on deck and one of the best lefty setup men in baseball warm in the pen...McLaren decides to pitch to Vlad (who utterly destroys Seattle). 2-run double, game tied. Next inning, still tied, bases loaded, rather than bring in the best reliever in baseball to face Vlad he brings in...recently waived RICK WHITE...because, "He's a veteran whose been through the wars.". Give me a break. BTW...Vlad destroyed White and the Angels went on to win easily.

[SPTO]

Re: The sinking of the Mariners

Well another loss for the M's at least they scored 4 runs.

[CoRruPt-]

Re: The sinking of the Mariners

There was no way Seattle could've relied on that bullpen all season long. Even good bullpens get worned out. Their bullpen ERA went from 3.80 from April-July to 4.00 something plus in August. The depth of the rotation caught up to this team.

[DrJones]

Re: The sinking of the Mariners

Next inning, still tied, bases loaded, rather than bring in the best reliever in baseball to face Vlad he brings in...recently waived RICK WHITE...because, "He's a veteran whose been through the wars."

Hilarious quote.

[spit_bubble]

Re: The sinking of the Mariners

Felix Hernandez vs Clemens today (Monday). I think they need to sweep the series. 2 out of 3, gaining just one game, won't cut it.

By the way, Felix Hernandez is just Felix. We should stop calling him "King" until he actually puts together a full year... Or at least gets his ERA under 4.00. Crimey.

[Misfit]

Re: The sinking of the Mariners

A late season collapse would the most predictable outcome for this team. Even the most diehard Mariners fans should know this has been an over achieving group of guys all year. The lineup really isn't as good as it's been in August, and the rotation is below average. And as someone else pointed out, no team can rely soley on a bullpen to pitch it to the promised land. Because of the way things have played out, if the Mariner don't make the playoffs the fanbase will be unhappy but really a .500 or better season is quite an accomplishment for this group.

[Kashanova]

Re: The sinking of the Mariners

lets go yanks lets settle this one as for all

[Coug00]

Re: The sinking of the Mariners

By the way, Felix Hernandez is just Felix. We should stop calling him "King" until he actually puts together a full year... Or at least gets his ERA under 4.00. Crimey.

Does "Prince" Felix work for now? He's still the best young pitching talent since Doc Gooden. Santana, Clemens, Halladay, Pedro, Schilling, Randy Johnson, etc...You name any pitcher currently in baseball and they weren't as good as Felix is as a 21 year old. Beckett is the only one who is even relatively close (and he only made 4 starts as a 21 year old).

Once (or if) his head catches up to his arm he's going to be the best pitcher in baseball.

BTW...his ERA has been under 4.00 most of the year. He's 10th in FIP and 2nd in xFIP in the AL. I'd say he's already one of the better pitchers in the AL.

[Spectre]

Re: The sinking of the Mariners

5-1 Mariners

Don't count them out yet.

[Kashanova]

Re: The sinking of the Mariners

5-1 Mariners

Don't count them out yet.

game aint over yet

[Coug00]

Re: The sinking of the Mariners

Nice outing by Felix, especially when you consider the Yankees potent lineup and that he was getting squeezed a little bit by Gerry Davis.

Now just keep Rick White out of the game and I like the M's chances of finishing out the game.

[Spectre]

Re: The sinking of the Mariners

Wow, the Mariners needed this game BADLY. Great game by the King