Any other year and the Mariners would be in a pretty great spot, at 60-40 right after the All Star break. However, they have the Astros five games ahead of them, and the A's three games behind. If the AL East wasn't so overpowered, then they'd be able to breathe. But thankfully, they're overpowered too.
Nelson Cruz, Mitch Haniger, Ryon Healy, Kyle Seager and SOMEHOW Mike Zunino have all been hitting for power, Cruz, as usual, is one of the best power hitters in the game, and can hit home runs like no one else. Thankfully there's also the middle infield duo of Dee Gordon and Jean Segura, two guys playing beautifully, and proving that hits and average are just as valuable. Segura might be carrying the team about now, in the absence of Robinson Cano.
Hell, the pitching's improved as well. James Paxton's leading things, Marco Gonzales is an impressive second-in-command, Mike Leake is still pretty elite, and Felix Hernandez...while not to 2012-caliber, is still good enough. Wade LeBlanc has also been a great help as a fifth starter, as there's clearly enough bullpen help. Edwin Diaz is the best closer in the AL, and Alex Colome has become an impressive setup man. There's not a lot that's terribly wrong with this team.
...except for Mike Zunino, but the Mariners seem to think everything's fine with him.
The Mariners, as stacked as they are, aren't as balanced as the Astros, and don't have the upward momentum the A's have had. But they are still dead in the middle of the race, and they can still work their way into the heart of the postseason talks. They may need one or two small fixes from the trade deadline (including POSSIBLY A NEW CATCHER), and they'll work on notching, at least, that last Wild Card spot.
Coming Tomorrow- He's the star of one of the weakest teams in baseball, but don't let that stop him from hitting well.
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