Kirby and the Forgotten Competitor

 

After ending the first half with a 14-game winning streak, the Seattle Mariners returned from the All-Star break by dropping a three game series to the Astros, and sweeping a three game series with the Rangers. They have already lost the first game of a four game series with the Astros, and it will be followed by a series against the Yankees.

I have just one question for the baseball gods...WHY ARE YOU SO INTENT ON MAKING IT SO THE MARINERS DON'T HAPPEN?

If the season ended right now, the Mariners would be right there in the wild card race, and, yes, would make the playoffs for the first time in 21 years. And now they're on a slope which might result in someone else taking their place if they're so unlucky. Why must this always happen to the Mariners? Haven't they suffered enough?

This is undeniably one of the best teams they've produced to this point, even better than last year's. Ty France, Julio Rodriguez, J.P. Crawford, Eugenio Suarez, Cal Raleigh and now apparently Kyle Lewis have become an insanely strong core. Multiple people have had opportunities to be the hero this year- Mitch Haniger took April, Ty France took May and June, and J-Rod has been taking July, leading to some of the most electrifying baseball Seattle has seen since Ichiro left town. 

What's more...by the gods, the rotation of Ray-Flexen-Gilbert-Gonzales-Kirby is actually really damned good. Gilbert is approaching ace levels, Ray has caught his 2021 momentum, Gonzales has a 3.66 ERA despite some bad luck decisions, Flexen has 75 Ks, and George Kirby, the rookie, has usurped Matt Brash as the fifth man and is pretty solid so far, with a 3.50 ERA in 13 starts. Plus, nobody in the bullpen has an ERA higher than 3.93. Paul Sewald, Penn Murfee, Erik Swanson and even Ryan Borucki have provided major bullpen stability to this team, and it's incredible to see.

I think the Mariners can land one more big piece, probably one more bat [perhaps Nelson Cruz could retire in Seattle], and then they can be a little more prepared for the stretch. I think the postseason is very attainable for them, especially right now. Like the Yankees, they just can't seem to get past the Astros, and they need to figure it out very soon, or else the Rays, Red Sox or Guardians might lap them before they can enjoy their season. 

Coming Tonight: One of the most versatile players of the last decade, finally delivering to his potential.