Gmae 9, Rangers at Mariners
Taijuan Walker vs. AJ Griffin, 12:40pm
Just what M’s fans are clamoring for this morning: more M’s baseball, and as soon as possible.
AJ Griffin’s the over-the-top, high-spin guy who shot through the minors in the A’s system a few years ago, right when Dan Straily was doing the same thing. Griffin actually had more big league success, posting lovely ERAs, but his peripherals were a bit underwhelming thanks to a high HR rate. Just as he was settling into his role as FIP-defying overachiever, he blew out his arm and recovery took much longer than anyone – especially the A’s – expected. After a while, the A’s simply cut him, and he caught on with the Rangers org. After nearly making the team out of spring training, he was first in line at AAA, and given the way the Rangers run through pitchers, it’s not a shock to see him up in the bigs again after a week+ of the season.
Griffin has essentially no platoon splits, and what splits he has shown have been reversed. His high-FB, slow curve arsenal is essentially the opposite of the sinker/slider routine that generates platoon splits, and his curve’s been a real asset. It’s noteworthy not just for its results, but also its speed: it averages under 70mph. Now, Griffin’s FB is a bit underpowered as well, but it’s not often you see average velocities in the 60s for non-knuckleballers.
1: Aoki, LF
2: Smith, DH
3: Cano, 2B
4: Cruz, RF
5: Seager, 3B
6: Lind, 1B
7: Iannetta, C
8: Martin, CF
9: Marte, SS
SP: Walker
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19 Responses to “Gmae 9, Rangers at Mariners”
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Indeed some of us are looking for more M’s baseball. It’s very early and this is a much better team than they’ve shown so far. Adam Lind is not an .059 hitter, nor is Cano a .182 hitter. Don’t panic.
As a Mariner fan, I start the season with hope, but I also know enough to let go of that hope at some point and settle into another disappointing season.
Better win some games soon, or I think the fan base will write off this year.
That was not a response to Dantheman — we just posted at the same time with opposite thoughts.
There are reasons for optimism. The Mariners BABIP should improve, they are actually winning the C-the-Z wars so far (thanks to the pitchers), and Felix has been outstanding.
Still, you dig a deep enough hole and you may never get back to contention.
I would also point out that the team in first place is all of 1 game over .500 and the M’s are just 2.5 behind despite not playing their best.
Is it time to start calling Marte “Dustin Marte” yet? Or maybe “Ketel Ackley”?
Watching him swing this year it’s hard to believe he had decent contact rates last year. I mean, he was in the bottom 30 in ALL OF MLB for swing and miss rates last year. But the warning signs were there even then…
.337 BABIP
16% walk rate (only hit 10% once in the minors)
Still like the “Def”, but definitely doesn’t need to be batting #2 again anytime soon…
I’m getting pretty tired of our shifts giving up hits that would be routine plays otherwise.
(and on cue, as I’m complaining about the last one, a pop up to the 3rd base coach’s box nobody can get to, ’cause Seager is shifted…)
The team is playing percentages – it’s just that the opponents are somehow managing to throw 30 snake-eyes in a row.
It’ll turn around.
Ketel needs a little visit to Tacoma… That was NOT a major league at bat right there.
Ugly stuff.
I wonder if Marte makes the roadtrip?
Is it me or are the (so far) M’s winning this gmae?
13 unearned runs? Wow, does anyone on that minor league team have a glove?
….and there goes the lead.
Is it just me or have there been a lot more hanging sliders so far this year?
Dae-ho(me) run Lee!!!!!!
Yay
Gmae, ste, mtach!
Mel Stottlemyre is pushing the slider. Walker’s working it in.
Dae-Ho Lee Cow!
Woo hoo!