For the first time in years, the ballclub from SoDo enters Spring Training with high expectations. The Seattle Mariners, coming off their best finish since 2007 with a satisfactory record of 87-75, were not eliminated until the final day of the season in 2014. They hope to build off the recent success and reach the postseason for the first time since 2001.
The M's solidify their contention in the tough AL West with the recent acquisition of DH Nelson Cruz. The slugger is coming off arguably the best season of his career thus far, hitting a league-leading 40 home runs and driving in 108 runs for the Orioles. Cruz has shown no sign of letting up this year either, with a batting average above 300 in Spring Training.
Most of all, Seattle will look to their pitching staff to make every game a close one. With Taijuan Walker's addition as a starter seeming almost inevitable at this point, the Mariners will have, barring health, one of the best rotations in the game. Hernandez, Iwakuma, Paxton, Happ, and Walker would leave no weak spot for opponents to take advantage of. When a rotation can keep the team within striking distance ninety percent of the time, a lot of games will be won.
It's not as if the starters have no one to fall back on, either. The Mariners possess arguably the best bullpen in the game, which features consistent relievers in Tom Wilhelmsen, Charlie Furbush, and closer Fernando Rodney. With a bullpen like this, manager Lloyd McClendon can feel comfortable bringing in a fresh arm to get him out of a critical situation, or at least minimize the damage in a big inning.
When you add your returning all-stars in Kyle Seager and Robinson Cano, not to mention a quality outfield, the 2015 Mariners seem to have it all figured out this year to possibly make a run deep into October. The Seattle fans will be looking for this to quench their 14-year playoff drought, making them a rabid crowd to play in front of, especially late in the year.
Season Prediction: 95-67 (AL West Champions)
The M's solidify their contention in the tough AL West with the recent acquisition of DH Nelson Cruz. The slugger is coming off arguably the best season of his career thus far, hitting a league-leading 40 home runs and driving in 108 runs for the Orioles. Cruz has shown no sign of letting up this year either, with a batting average above 300 in Spring Training.
Most of all, Seattle will look to their pitching staff to make every game a close one. With Taijuan Walker's addition as a starter seeming almost inevitable at this point, the Mariners will have, barring health, one of the best rotations in the game. Hernandez, Iwakuma, Paxton, Happ, and Walker would leave no weak spot for opponents to take advantage of. When a rotation can keep the team within striking distance ninety percent of the time, a lot of games will be won.
It's not as if the starters have no one to fall back on, either. The Mariners possess arguably the best bullpen in the game, which features consistent relievers in Tom Wilhelmsen, Charlie Furbush, and closer Fernando Rodney. With a bullpen like this, manager Lloyd McClendon can feel comfortable bringing in a fresh arm to get him out of a critical situation, or at least minimize the damage in a big inning.
When you add your returning all-stars in Kyle Seager and Robinson Cano, not to mention a quality outfield, the 2015 Mariners seem to have it all figured out this year to possibly make a run deep into October. The Seattle fans will be looking for this to quench their 14-year playoff drought, making them a rabid crowd to play in front of, especially late in the year.
Season Prediction: 95-67 (AL West Champions)