Game 62, Blue Jays at Mariners

marc w · June 9, 2017 at 5:09 pm · Filed Under Mariners 

Sam Gaviglio vs. Joe Biagini, 7:10pm

The Blue Jays arrive in Seattle today still mired in last place, but looking very different to the team that began the year as MLB’s worst club. Josh Donaldson is back, and that certainly helps, as their offense woke up from an April slumber (.654 OPS) and slugged their way through May (.809 OPS). The pitching staff’s been more consistent, although that means more like “consistently ok” more than consistently good, but this team was always built around the batting order, so that’s not too bad. What’s crazy about it all is *who’s* leading the offensive charge. Donaldson’s been great, but he’s missed most of the year. Instead, the lineup’s led by none other than Justin Smoak, who spent 6+ years as a replacement-level player, getting work based on his prospect reputation and, more recently, oddly good statcast numbers. In 2 months and change, Smoak’s been worth 1.5 fWAR, accounting for nearly all of his 1.8 *career* fWAR, which he’s now accumulated in over 3,100 PAs over 880 games. Another solid performer for the club is former M’s prospect Ezequiel Carrera, who left a memorable impression on me when he played in Tacoma; I don’t think I saw a more overmatched player in all my years there, with the possible exception of Addison Russell (who was a teenager, to be fair). Maybe the idea to have a decent career is to suck in Tacoma for a bit.

The M’s face Joe Biagini, whom they faced back in mid-May in what was his 2nd big league start. Transitioning from the bullpen has been fairly smooth for Biagini, whose fastball (at 94) and change (at 87) seem like plus or nearly plus pitches. His fastball’s held up remarkably well for a guy who spent a year and a bit coming out of the pen, and his change has helped him post great results against lefties. He also throws a curve and cutter, with the former grading out as the superior pitch. It gets a lot of vertical drop, and is what Biagini uses as a putaway pitch.

Sam Gaviglio’s had 3 excellent starts in 4 tries, which is remarkable given how well batters are hitting against him. A big part of that is his impressive numbers with men on/RISP – that’s a great way to “beat” your fielding independent stats, but it’s not a great sign for long-term success. With Drew Smyly throwing, that might be OK. Gaviglio faced the Jays in his MLB debut back on May 11th, and K’d 4 in 2 IP, so hopefully he’s not over-awed by their lineup…the team that’s got a wRC+ of 94, and have been far less productive overall than the M’s.

1: Gamel, RF
2: Heredia, LF
3: Cano, 2B
4: Cruz, DH
5: Seager, 3B
6: Valencia, 1B
7: Zunino, C
8: Dyson, CF
9: Motter, SS
SP: Gaviglio

Kyle Lewis will start playing on Sunday, says Bob Dutton. That’s a great sign for a farm system that could use some more impact talent. Speaking of which, the MLB draft is coming up soon – we’ll have a post on that coming up.

Brandon Miller, Brett Ash and Pablo Lopez start today in the minors, but the headliner is Andrew Moore, who takes on Las Vegas in Tacoma tonight.

Comments

17 Responses to “Game 62, Blue Jays at Mariners”

  1. Grayfox3d on June 9th, 2017 7:39 pm

    Not a very good start to this game, lucky they have not scored yet but its looking pretty dire.

  2. Grayfox3d on June 9th, 2017 7:57 pm

    Blue Jays are our kryptonite.

  3. Sowulo on June 9th, 2017 8:59 pm

    three weeks ago the M’s fought back to .500 ball and immediately, the offense went on a disappearing act. Deja vu.

  4. stevemotivateir on June 9th, 2017 9:09 pm

    That was a heck of an attempt by Dyson and it proved to be just as good as a catch! Great relay and positioning all around.

  5. stevemotivateir on June 9th, 2017 9:10 pm

    Yeah, it’s funny how an offense will struggle against solid pitching sometimes.

  6. stevemotivateir on June 9th, 2017 9:12 pm

    Cano! The little engine that could; running for his life!

  7. Westside guy on June 9th, 2017 9:18 pm

    Seager got lucky – the throw was there well ahead of him.

    Of course I thought Cano was toast there too, so what do I know. 😀

  8. Westside guy on June 9th, 2017 9:21 pm

    Love it when Zunino walks.

  9. stevemotivateir on June 9th, 2017 9:25 pm

    Yeah, good to see a patient Zunino.

  10. Westside guy on June 9th, 2017 9:25 pm

    Bad decision by Valencia. He could’ve been on third with still only one out.

  11. stevemotivateir on June 9th, 2017 9:29 pm

    Acta had the stop sign up. He blew right past it.

  12. stevemotivateir on June 9th, 2017 9:51 pm

    That was a rookie mistake. Had to bunt up the 3rd baseline.

  13. Grayfox3d on June 9th, 2017 9:58 pm

    C’mon Danny… don’t swing at that garbage!

  14. Grayfox3d on June 9th, 2017 10:05 pm

    Sometimes Diaz looks untouchable, that was awesome, great win.

  15. Westside guy on June 9th, 2017 10:06 pm

    Woo hoo!

  16. stevemotivateir on June 9th, 2017 10:07 pm

    .500 and may have Haniger back tomorrow.

  17. Grayfox3d on June 9th, 2017 10:23 pm

    Haniger had a big HR today.

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