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Seattle Mariners manager Dan Wilson speaks to the media before a game against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Saturday at T-Mobile Park in Seattle. | Teren Kowatsch/Roundtable Sports
SEATTLE — The Seattle Mariners have started to pick things up in recent games despite not being at full strength.
Entering Saturday, before the second of a three-game series against the Arizona Diamondbacks at T-Mobile Park, the Mariners (29-29). were on a four-game win streak and had a 1.5-game lead for first place in the American League West.
This is despite starting catcher and 2025 American League MVP finalist Cal Raleigh currently on the injured list with a right oblique strain.
A large part of Seattle able to get back to first place despite Raleigh's absence has been an increase in production in backup catchers Mitch Garver and Jhonny Pereda.
Here's several notes on Garver's recent production and other notes from before the game against the Diamondbacks on Saturday:
Before Raleigh went down with his oblique strain, his primary backup, Mitch Garver slashed .167/.344/.188 with a .532 OPS and one RBI in 20 games.
Since Raleigh was placed on the IL on May 14, He's slashed .286/.375/.619 with a .994 OPS in eight games and has hit a double and two home runs with five RBIs.
"He's come up huge for us," Mariners manager Dan Wilson said in a pregame interview Saturday. "Even since that first game in Houston when Cal went down initially. (Garver's) ability to step in and hit a big homer, and then in (Kansas City) we saw it again. His at-bats have been solid and what he brings behind the plate, the leadership he brings, the veteran that he is, that's who 'Garv' is. And having that is a huge luxury. ... He's the guy who can really mentor other guys and other players and really loves to take on that role. He has contributions all over the place, in terms of that."
Garver will start at catcher for Seattle's game against Arizona on Saturday.
The piggyback arrangement between Mariners starting pitchers Bryce Miller and Luis Castillo has gone through some choppy waters its first two turns through the order.
Both starters have had statistical success since the arrangement began, but both hurlers expressed frustration about the situation. Those frustrations seem to have been warmed over after conversations with Wilson, pitching coach Pete Woodworth and president of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto.
Miller will start in the team's third piggyback outing in the series finale against the Diamondbacks at 1:10 p.m. PT on Sunday and Luis Castillo will come out of the pen.
Despite the frustration, there is one group that could benefit if Seattle opts to continue with it: the bullpen.
In the Mariners' first piggyback the order against the Chicago White Sox on May 19, the team used just two relievers. Jose A. Ferrer pitched 0.1 inning in between Miller and Castillo and two-time All-Star closer Andres Munoz came on for a potential save situation to get the final two outs of the ninth inning.
In the second turn against the Athletics on May 25, Seattle didn't use any relievers.
Piggyback days could end up representing extra rest days for the Mariners' relievers, and that could benefit the unit coming off a game like Friday.
Seattle beat the Diamondbacks 7-6 in 10 innings Friday. In the win, the Mariners used six relievers, including Munoz.
"I think it certainly has shown (that it's a benefit) in the previous two times," Wilson said. " ... I think that is a side benefit of it. It can give your guys a break down in the 'pen. And last night we used just about everybody down there. Depending on how tonight goes, we'll see how it all plays out. ... Our bullpen arms have been outstanding for us, they've been consistent. And giving those guys as much rest as we can when we're able to do it is important."
Remember to join our MARINERS on ROUNDTABLE community, which is FREE! You can post your own thoughts, in text or video form, and you can engage with our Roundtable staff, as well as other Mariners fans. If prompted to download the Roundtable APP, that's free too!
Continue reading...
SEATTLE — The Seattle Mariners have started to pick things up in recent games despite not being at full strength.
Entering Saturday, before the second of a three-game series against the Arizona Diamondbacks at T-Mobile Park, the Mariners (29-29). were on a four-game win streak and had a 1.5-game lead for first place in the American League West.
This is despite starting catcher and 2025 American League MVP finalist Cal Raleigh currently on the injured list with a right oblique strain.
A large part of Seattle able to get back to first place despite Raleigh's absence has been an increase in production in backup catchers Mitch Garver and Jhonny Pereda.
Here's several notes on Garver's recent production and other notes from before the game against the Diamondbacks on Saturday:
Mitch Garver picking things up in Raleigh's absence.
Before Raleigh went down with his oblique strain, his primary backup, Mitch Garver slashed .167/.344/.188 with a .532 OPS and one RBI in 20 games.
Since Raleigh was placed on the IL on May 14, He's slashed .286/.375/.619 with a .994 OPS in eight games and has hit a double and two home runs with five RBIs.
"He's come up huge for us," Mariners manager Dan Wilson said in a pregame interview Saturday. "Even since that first game in Houston when Cal went down initially. (Garver's) ability to step in and hit a big homer, and then in (Kansas City) we saw it again. His at-bats have been solid and what he brings behind the plate, the leadership he brings, the veteran that he is, that's who 'Garv' is. And having that is a huge luxury. ... He's the guy who can really mentor other guys and other players and really loves to take on that role. He has contributions all over the place, in terms of that."
Garver will start at catcher for Seattle's game against Arizona on Saturday.
Bullpen benefiting from piggyback situation.
The piggyback arrangement between Mariners starting pitchers Bryce Miller and Luis Castillo has gone through some choppy waters its first two turns through the order.
Both starters have had statistical success since the arrangement began, but both hurlers expressed frustration about the situation. Those frustrations seem to have been warmed over after conversations with Wilson, pitching coach Pete Woodworth and president of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto.
Miller will start in the team's third piggyback outing in the series finale against the Diamondbacks at 1:10 p.m. PT on Sunday and Luis Castillo will come out of the pen.
Despite the frustration, there is one group that could benefit if Seattle opts to continue with it: the bullpen.
In the Mariners' first piggyback the order against the Chicago White Sox on May 19, the team used just two relievers. Jose A. Ferrer pitched 0.1 inning in between Miller and Castillo and two-time All-Star closer Andres Munoz came on for a potential save situation to get the final two outs of the ninth inning.
In the second turn against the Athletics on May 25, Seattle didn't use any relievers.
Piggyback days could end up representing extra rest days for the Mariners' relievers, and that could benefit the unit coming off a game like Friday.
Seattle beat the Diamondbacks 7-6 in 10 innings Friday. In the win, the Mariners used six relievers, including Munoz.
"I think it certainly has shown (that it's a benefit) in the previous two times," Wilson said. " ... I think that is a side benefit of it. It can give your guys a break down in the 'pen. And last night we used just about everybody down there. Depending on how tonight goes, we'll see how it all plays out. ... Our bullpen arms have been outstanding for us, they've been consistent. And giving those guys as much rest as we can when we're able to do it is important."
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Remember to join our MARINERS on ROUNDTABLE community, which is FREE! You can post your own thoughts, in text or video form, and you can engage with our Roundtable staff, as well as other Mariners fans. If prompted to download the Roundtable APP, that's free too!
Continue reading...
