No Cano? No Problem

I've been very vocal over the last few years about how the Mariners have been fouling up golden opportunities. Over the last few years, they've had the correct pieces, the right type of talent, and the right momentum...and nothing has happened. Either injuries, incorrect moves on Seattle's part (read: trading Welington Castillo), or just bad luck have stopped the Mariners from ascending to the top tier of the AL West.

Well...it's 2018...17 years after their last playoff appearance (the longest playoff drought in the MLB). And I think the Mariners finally have something...without their flagship star who's currently out for drug violations.

The smartest thing this team is doing is relying less on home runs and more on field versatility. Their best players are guys like Mitch Haniger, Jean Segura and Dee Gordon, guys who don't need to hit home runs to be powerful. Segura already has 107 hits, Haniger and Nelson Cruz already have 50+ RBI, and Kyle Seager is making positive offensive progress for once (possibly because the other Seager brother is out of commission). This lineup, while still not perfect (looking at you, Zunino...for, like, the 5th year in a row), is further along than most Mariners teams get, and are rallying behind Haniger as they head within 2 games of the Astros' lead.

The pitching might be the more surprising factor; a rotation that used to simply be Felix Hernandez and some other people has now completely restructured itself behind James Paxton, having his best season by far. Wade LeBlanc is being trusted as a starter for the first time since his run in San Diego. Marco Gonzalez and Mike Leake are providing great support. Felix...is continuing his recent downslope, but still knows how to throw strikes. Even the bullpen, now bolstered by Alex Colome as a setup man, is fantastic, featuring the best closer in the AL, Edwin Diaz, and Roenis Elias and James Pazos doing impressive work in long relief.

This team has perfected so many things that have been plaguing them since the better part of the decade, and they are finally ready to contend. The Astros still have the statistical edge, but the M's are...so damn close, and might get closer after the ASG break.

Coming Tomorrow- Well, look who's FINALLY back to playing like himself.