Do these games aggravate you in the sense that while meaningless they could have helped in the win column and they were lost because of less than stellar use of players? I did not like Wak’s use of pitchers in the last 2 games…was there anything that fans did not know that made the use of specific pitchers necessary?

Why was Batista in that game today? Why did Wak not go to a lefty against Lind? Why is Bill Hall still a Mariner. I was actually cheering for him to add another K to his total, just so he can be a for sure cut next year.

On the big screen when Bill Hall got announced:
Hall was acquired by the Mariner Aug. 19th for minor leaguer Ruben Flores. That is what I saw everytime he came to bat. That is how brutal Bill Hall is. Priceless.

The 2007 overachieved more, but its real talent level was apparently higher too. And we all know what garden path that lured Bavasi down. Now Zduriencik and his FO, unlike the previous regime, not only knows what Pythagorean Expectation is but understands what it means. But I’m sure they’re also looking at 2nd and 3rd order wins/losses as well, and those numbers are both better approximations of real talent level and not as divergent from the actual record (albeit not very encouraging from a divisional standings perspective).

In any case, as pleased as I’m sure he’ll be to finish above .500, I have no fear that Zduriencik is satisfied with that or in any way complacent (or, conversely, unrealistic about the team’s real talent level).

That, and their Pythag record, also indicates that they shouldn’t be very complacent about their ~.500 record when it comes to planning the roster for 2010-

Yeah, as great as this season has been when compared to last, it is worth noting that this team is only about 80 runs better than last year’s. (and a lot of that goodness is pre-all star break)

The Mariners are 33-20 in one run games after today. That’s a .623 winning percentage. That’s almost as good as the Yankees have been all season.

“They’re due” is the wrong way of looking at it (since that’s Gambler’s Fallacy), but all told, the 2009 Mariners have nothing to complain about when it comes to how the close games have broken for them. That, and their Pythag record, also indicates that they shouldn’t be very complacent about their ~.500 record when it comes to planning the roster for 2010- not that there’s any indication that Zduriencik is being complacent about it.

As you can tell, I’ve had it with Batista and am very pleased he almost certainly will be gone.

I feel kind of bad for Wak since it would be a real feather in his cap to finish with a winning record. Let’s hope they get it done.

And let’s not forget, Beltre did his best to blow Thursday’s victory. This series sort of reminded me of the ill-fated four-game set in Baltimore at the start of 2008, when McLaren looked like he was having a nervous breakdown on every pitch in the dugout.

Interesting season, really, since we could list a whole slate of gut-wrenching defeats. Of course the Mariners also have pulled out several improbable wins, so perhaps it all comes out in the wash?

Batista is the kind of pitcher who must be weeded out if the Mariners are ever going anywhere. Screw the contract…eat the darned thing and chase it with five bottles of industrial strength Pepto-Bismol.

There’s nothing to eat: Batista’s contract expires at the end of the season. Which is a week away.

Silva, unfortunately, is another story altogether.

So before the game in the “picks to click” Blowers predicted the Tui home run (down to the direction and which at-bat), and Niehaus had a great time calling it. They just re-ran the call complete with the sound of Rizzs and Blowers giggling in the background.

Sour attitude….unprepared when called upon….takes being in the majors for granted….huge contract….can’t throw strikes….has lost his stamina….basically a dour, washed-up pitcher who contributes nothing to the overall success of the ball club….

At least Sweeney has come on toward the end of the season, and is something of a role model for the call-up kids.

Seriously, I just want to cry when I see Batista start to loosen up in the bullpen. The guy takes it beyond just mailing it in. Please Mr. Z, release the guy and pur me out of my misery!