Game of the Week: April 27: SEA @ HOU

[Commissioner Erick]

Seattle Mariners (10-12) @ Houston Astros (14-7)


SEA: Roniel Raudes (1-0, 1.08)
HOU: Jeff Morrison (3-1, 2.84)


Mariners 5 Key Stats:


2-11: Seattle's record in its last 13 games. The Mariners are really scuffling after a hot start.

50%: The percentage of their last 14 games where the Mariners have scored two runs or fewer. Their offense has been the biggest culprit for the team's struggles recently.

.706: Lucius Fox' career high OPS in a season set back in 2023. Fox saw his OPS drop to .662 in 2024, .602 in an injury-shortened 2025, and is at .512 this year. Once a nice prospect, shoulder injuries have eroded Fox' skills with the bat.

6: The number of Catchers this year with more RBIs this season than Tomoya Mori. Seattle needs Mori to be a superstar if it wants to contend, but Mori has been very underwhelming.

.467: Seattle's OPS in close-and-late situations, easily the worst in the AL.


Astros 5 Key Stats:


0.47: Houston's bullpen ERA in three games against Seattle last week. The Astros won two of three, including a 19-inning game where its bullpen worked 12 shutout innings.

20: Jeff Morrison's prospect rating heading into this season. Morrison is 3-1 with a 2.84 ERA this year, and is coming off two strong starts in Seattle and Colorado the past two times out. In those two starts, he went 2-0 with a 2.19 ERA and a 1.07 WHIP.

6: The number of walks Ichisake Ochiai drew in Houston's 9-1 win in 19 innings over the Mariners 9 days ago. Ochiai set the AL record for most extra-inning walks that day and tied the Angels' Jeremy Vasquez for the most walks in any game in any league. It makes sense why the Mariners would walk him so frequently: Ochiai has six homers already and hit 51 last year when he won a Platinum Stick Award.

7.53: Houston's Zone Rating, second highest in the AL to the White Sox. Houston has the best Catcher Zone Rating in the league and Wyatt Cross has thrown out 82% of runners so far this season.

5: Multi-hit games this season by Austin Bodrato, who has stabilized Houston's outfield despite injuries to Austin Meadows and Yoshitomo Tsutsugo. Bodrato is hitting .432 so far this year.


Questions for the GMs:


For David Boyer, your offense is really struggling. What can you do to turn it around?

You walked Ichisake Ochiai 8 times last weekend. Would you prefer pitching carefully to him or going after him and risking homers?

You moved Woo-Seok Ko to the bullpen last week. Why did you make that move?

For Neil Ehm, why did you make the trade for Austin Bodrato a few weeks ago?

Blake Tiberi has been out of the majors for some time now, but is hitting .344 out of the leadoff spot for you. What convinced you that he'd be productive for you?

Jeff Morrison has looked great to start his career. Are we looking at a potential Rookie of the Year here?


TRIVIA: Tomoya Mori is the one AL MVP who won the award while not playing for the Chicago White Sox the last six years. Who was the last non-White Sox player before Mori to win AL MVP?

[debot tigers]

Jul 8, 2021 17:36:17 GMT -5 Commissioner Erick said:

Seattle Mariners (10-12) @ Houston Astros (14-7)


SEA: Roniel Raudes (1-0, 1.08)
HOU: Jeff Morrison (3-1, 2.84)


Mariners 5 Key Stats:


2-11: Seattle's record in its last 13 games. The Mariners are really scuffling after a hot start.

50%: The percentage of their last 14 games where the Mariners have scored two runs or fewer. Their offense has been the biggest culprit for the team's struggles recently.

.706: Lucius Fox' career high OPS in a season set back in 2023. Fox saw his OPS drop to .662 in 2024, .602 in an injury-shortened 2025, and is at .512 this year. Once a nice prospect, shoulder injuries have eroded Fox' skills with the bat.

6: The number of Catchers this year with more RBIs this season than Tomoya Mori. Seattle needs Mori to be a superstar if it wants to contend, but Mori has been very underwhelming.

.467: Seattle's OPS in close-and-late situations, easily the worst in the AL.


Astros 5 Key Stats:


0.47: Houston's bullpen ERA in three games against Seattle last week. The Astros won two of three, including a 19-inning game where its bullpen worked 12 shutout innings.

20: Jeff Morrison's prospect rating heading into this season. Morrison is 3-1 with a 2.84 ERA this year, and is coming off two strong starts in Seattle and Colorado the past two times out. In those two starts, he went 2-0 with a 2.19 ERA and a 1.07 WHIP.

6: The number of walks Ichisake Ochiai drew in Houston's 9-1 win in 19 innings over the Mariners 9 days ago. Ochiai set the AL record for most extra-inning walks that day and tied the Angels' Jeremy Vasquez for the most walks in any game in any league. It makes sense why the Mariners would walk him so frequently: Ochiai has six homers already and hit 51 last year when he won a Platinum Stick Award.

7.53: Houston's Zone Rating, second highest in the AL to the White Sox. Houston has the best Catcher Zone Rating in the league and Wyatt Cross has thrown out 82% of runners so far this season.

5: Multi-hit games this season by Austin Bodrato, who has stabilized Houston's outfield despite injuries to Austin Meadows and Yoshitomo Tsutsugo. Bodrato is hitting .432 so far this year.


Questions for the GMs:


For David Boyer, your offense is really struggling. What can you do to turn it around?

You walked Ichisake Ochiai 8 times last weekend. Would you prefer pitching carefully to him or going after him and risking homers?

You moved Woo-Seok Ko to the bullpen last week. Why did you make that move?

For Neil Ehm, why did you make the trade for Austin Bodrato a few weeks ago?

Blake Tiberi has been out of the majors for some time now, but is hitting .344 out of the leadoff spot for you. What convinced you that he'd be productive for you?

Jeff Morrison has looked great to start his career. Are we looking at a potential Rookie of the Year here?


TRIVIA: Tomoya Mori is the one AL MVP who won the award while not playing for the Chicago White Sox the last six years. Who was the last non-White Sox player before Mori to win AL MVP?



For David Boyer, your offense is really struggling. What can you do to turn it around?

For now, some minor tweaking.  I have to give current roster time to find footing and rythm before any drastic steps.  I have called up Paredes.  Hardman is on the farm and ready to come up in some capacity or ultimately replace Fox if he can't turn it around.


You walked Ichisake Ochiai 8 times last weekend. Would you prefer pitching carefully to him or going after him and risking homers?


I wasn't even aware of so!  might have to stunned by the lack of abled bodies to pitch.  Which segued into your next question.  I had to make some call ups because of that game and bullpen went out of whack.  Ko will be back in.  He just has the heavy stuff to play a relief role if need be.  

We actually made adjustments to all pitchers knowing the teams we were facing (though more notably Baltimore) and instructed Pitchers to be aware of the need to pitch around if need be.


You moved Woo-Seok Ko to the bullpen last week. Why did you make that move?

See above!

[Neil_Astros]

For Neil Ehm, why did you make the trade for Austin Bodrato a few weeks ago?

Bodrato was brought in to provide depth in the outfield. He's started the season very well.

Blake Tiberi has been out of the majors for some time now, but is hitting .344 out of the leadoff spot for you. What convinced you that he'd be productive for you?

He performed well last year in AAA and earned the first shot at the vacant 3B position. He's grabbed his opportunity with both hands so far.

Jeff Morrison has looked great to start his career. Are we looking at a potential Rookie of the Year here?

If he keeps performing at the level that he's started at then he will certainly be in contention for Rookie of the Year.

[Commissioner Erick]

Mariners 8 - Astros 7


WP: C. Gemma (1-0)
LP: M. Stone (1-1)
SV: M. Lorenzen (2)


Tomoya Mori impressed in the 8-7 Seattle win over Houston. Mori, who finished 3rd in the AL in slugging percentage with .578 in 2023, was 3 for 5 with 2 home runs. He scored 3 times and drove in 2. Earning his 2nd save for Seattle was Michael Lorenzen. Seattle goes to 11-12.

Seattle used the timely hitting of Lourdes Gurriel to seize the win. The third baseman stroked a run-scoring single in the top of the ninth inning to put the Mariners on top, 8-7. It was his only hit in 3 at-bats, but it was a game-changer.

"It was a nice win for our side today," said Mariners manager David Boyer. "Not perfect, but we'll take it."


Questions for the GMs:


For David Boyer, you faced down a tremendous defensive Catcher today in Wyatt Cross and stole two of three bases successfully, including Lucious Fox' key steal of third base in the ninth inning. Did you approve of your team's baserunning strategy?

Roniel Raudes didn't pitch too well in his first start of the year. Did he give you confidence that he should be a part of your rotation moving forward?

How big is it having another lockdown arm in Curt Gemma available to you out of the pen?

For Neil Ehm, Jeff Morrison really struggled today giving up six runs in 2.1 innings. Why wasn't he able to be effective today?

Steve Hall has been outstanding in a pair of key long relief roles against Seattle this year. Would you consider starting him against Seattle if you need to?

Blake Tiberi had two sacrifice bunts. Do you agree with having him bunt twice?


TRIVIA: Lucius Fox has the most steals in Mariners history. Who has the most steals in a single season for Seattle?

[debot tigers]

Jul 11, 2021 14:59:08 GMT -5 Commissioner Erick said:

Mariners 8 - Astros 7


WP: C. Gemma (1-0)
LP: M. Stone (1-1)
SV: M. Lorenzen (2)


Tomoya Mori impressed in the 8-7 Seattle win over Houston. Mori, who finished 3rd in the AL in slugging percentage with .578 in 2023, was 3 for 5 with 2 home runs. He scored 3 times and drove in 2. Earning his 2nd save for Seattle was Michael Lorenzen. Seattle goes to 11-12.

Seattle used the timely hitting of Lourdes Gurriel to seize the win. The third baseman stroked a run-scoring single in the top of the ninth inning to put the Mariners on top, 8-7. It was his only hit in 3 at-bats, but it was a game-changer.

"It was a nice win for our side today," said Mariners manager David Boyer. "Not perfect, but we'll take it."


Questions for the GMs:


For David Boyer, you faced down a tremendous defensive Catcher today in Wyatt Cross and stole two of three bases successfully, including Lucious Fox' key steal of third base in the ninth inning. Did you approve of your team's baserunning strategy?

Roniel Raudes didn't pitch too well in his first start of the year. Did he give you confidence that he should be a part of your rotation moving forward?

How big is it having another lockdown arm in Curt Gemma available to you out of the pen?

For Neil Ehm, Jeff Morrison really struggled today giving up six runs in 2.1 innings. Why wasn't he able to be effective today?

Steve Hall has been outstanding in a pair of key long relief roles against Seattle this year. Would you consider starting him against Seattle if you need to?

Blake Tiberi had two sacrifice bunts. Do you agree with having him bunt twice?


TRIVIA: Lucius Fox has the most steals in Mariners history. Who has the most steals in a single season for Seattle?

For David Boyer, you faced down a tremendous defensive Catcher today in Wyatt Cross and stole two of three bases successfully, including Lucious Fox' key steal of third base in the ninth inning. Did you approve of your team's baserunning strategy?



I have given the green light and encouraged a few players to increase their base stealing. It was a risky steal, with one out and Gurriel at bat, but it was a good risk to take.




Roniel Raudes didn't pitch too well in his first start of the year. Did he give you confidence that he should be a part of your rotation moving forward?


I had him earmarked for spot starts and filling in.  He is our 6-7 starter but I would be happy if he was our 5th.  He will have better outings.


How big is it having another lockdown arm in Curt Gemma available to you out of the pen?

Satisfying and relieving.  Feel good about the pen

[debot tigers]

I believe Mr Trammel holds the single season SB record with 47 in 2022

[Commissioner Erick]

Dave is correct!

[Commissioner Erick]

TRIVIA 1: Daniel correctly guessed Carlos Correa