Post by Commissioner Erick on Nov 19, 2023 12:02:10 GMT -5
Seattle Mariners (60-41) @ Baltimore Orioles (48-52)
SEA: Adam Hall (4-5, 3.83)
BAL: Thomas Burbank (5-6, 4.56)
Mariners 3 Key Stats:
3: Wins against Baltimore this year: Seattle has already had success against Baltimore this year, sweeping them just before the All-Star break. This will give them confidence as they look to build upon their AL West lead. Seattle allowed just six runs in their three games as their pitching has been exceptional. The bullpen allowed a single run on four hits in 9.2 innings, and tonight’s starter, Sean Koch, went 6.2 shutout innings. With Texas getting a week at home against the Astros and Angels, Seattle getting an opponent’s they’ve had success against will help in their AL West battle.
6: Gold Glove Winners on the team: Seattle acquired Raimfer Salinas early last week, giving the club six Gold Glove winners on the club. Some of those awards were when players were younger or playing different positions, but it shows the skeleton of a great defense is there. Salinas has a pair of awards at Center Field and will move Luis Morales to Left Field, where Stud has a Gold Glove. Escudero will play Left Field against left-handed starters, where he also has a Gold Glove with Cincinnati last year. Wander Samuel Franco is a Gold Glover at Shortstop, and Gleyber Torres is playing Third Base—he has a Gold Glove as a First Baseman. All this is anchored by M.J. Melendez, a two-time Gold Glover behind the dish. Seattle is fifth in Zone Rating in the AL and that may improve over the final half of the year.
3: Seasons Brian Villaneuve led the National League in Saves: Seattle acquired Brian Villanueve to add more ammunition to a powerful bullpen. The former Brave led the league in Saves from from 2027-2029 and ws having arguably his best year this year. He had 20 saves in Atlanta with a miniscule 1.49 ERA. His BABIP has been a touch low, but he’s gotten better at preventing homers as he’s matured. Seattle has the best bullpen ERA in the league and with Villanueve and Anyelo Luna anchoring a strong support group, they’ll be brutal to score against in the late innings.
Orioles 3 Key Stats:
.344: Thomas Burbank’s BABIP: Thomas Burbank has had a solid career, but he’s having his worst season this year with a 5.46 ERA. His peripheral numbers are pretty solid though, leaving much of his poor luck the result of a .344 BABIP. It’s a similar number to a .336 BABIP he issued last year. For some reason, as Baltimore’s defense has generally improved, it’s ability to field in front of Burbank has diminished. Baltimore may need to figure out the issue if they want to beat Seattle today.
.255: Emmanuel Tapia’s average: One reason Baltimore has struggled this year is Tapia’s continued reduced form as he ages in his 30s. Once a ferocious slugger, plus a hitter who can run a .300 average, Tapia hasn’t hit over 30 home runs since 2028. His 14 doubles thus far are pacing for his career low for a full season, with his .255 following suit. With him producing such disappointing results, Baltimore is just eighth in homers and runs scored, a far cry from last decade where they were consistently one of the scariest offenses in the league with Tapia producing up to 50 home runs a year.
18.9: Baltimore’s strikeout rate: Baltimore’s offense hasn’t been great, but they do lead the league in strikeout rate. The team makes contact at an excellent clip, putting pressure on defenses to do the work to retire hitters. Some of the team’s speedier hitters are taking advantage of that contact rate, like David Bollman and his .328 average. Seattle has an excellent defense, so it may be tough for Baltimore’s approach to punch through today.
Questions for the GMs:
For Jay Bigs, you recently acquired Raimfer Salinas and Brian Villanueve. Why did you make those two moves?
Vinny Escudero has gotten into 69 games this year. Did you expect to see him playing more often that that when you acquired him to essentially be your 10th man, but a player who can play everywhere?
You were down on Ivan Johnson entering the year, but he’s had a very nice campaign. Did you expect him to regain his previous Seattle form when you acquired him?
For Dan Wagner, four games under .500, will you be trying to make a run at the Wild Card over the second half or giving your youngsters a look?
Burbank has really struggled with BABIP since you’ve taken over the team. Bad luck or is there any other explanation?
Seattle has an excellent defense, and one that you struggled to succeed against in your earlier series. Will that change your lineup choices today or not?
TRIVIA: Vinny Escudero was originally a draft pick of the Baltimore Orioles and was traded to Cincinnati, along with Andrew Knutsen, for a single All-Star player. Who was that player?
SEA: Adam Hall (4-5, 3.83)
BAL: Thomas Burbank (5-6, 4.56)
Mariners 3 Key Stats:
3: Wins against Baltimore this year: Seattle has already had success against Baltimore this year, sweeping them just before the All-Star break. This will give them confidence as they look to build upon their AL West lead. Seattle allowed just six runs in their three games as their pitching has been exceptional. The bullpen allowed a single run on four hits in 9.2 innings, and tonight’s starter, Sean Koch, went 6.2 shutout innings. With Texas getting a week at home against the Astros and Angels, Seattle getting an opponent’s they’ve had success against will help in their AL West battle.
6: Gold Glove Winners on the team: Seattle acquired Raimfer Salinas early last week, giving the club six Gold Glove winners on the club. Some of those awards were when players were younger or playing different positions, but it shows the skeleton of a great defense is there. Salinas has a pair of awards at Center Field and will move Luis Morales to Left Field, where Stud has a Gold Glove. Escudero will play Left Field against left-handed starters, where he also has a Gold Glove with Cincinnati last year. Wander Samuel Franco is a Gold Glover at Shortstop, and Gleyber Torres is playing Third Base—he has a Gold Glove as a First Baseman. All this is anchored by M.J. Melendez, a two-time Gold Glover behind the dish. Seattle is fifth in Zone Rating in the AL and that may improve over the final half of the year.
3: Seasons Brian Villaneuve led the National League in Saves: Seattle acquired Brian Villanueve to add more ammunition to a powerful bullpen. The former Brave led the league in Saves from from 2027-2029 and ws having arguably his best year this year. He had 20 saves in Atlanta with a miniscule 1.49 ERA. His BABIP has been a touch low, but he’s gotten better at preventing homers as he’s matured. Seattle has the best bullpen ERA in the league and with Villanueve and Anyelo Luna anchoring a strong support group, they’ll be brutal to score against in the late innings.
Orioles 3 Key Stats:
.344: Thomas Burbank’s BABIP: Thomas Burbank has had a solid career, but he’s having his worst season this year with a 5.46 ERA. His peripheral numbers are pretty solid though, leaving much of his poor luck the result of a .344 BABIP. It’s a similar number to a .336 BABIP he issued last year. For some reason, as Baltimore’s defense has generally improved, it’s ability to field in front of Burbank has diminished. Baltimore may need to figure out the issue if they want to beat Seattle today.
.255: Emmanuel Tapia’s average: One reason Baltimore has struggled this year is Tapia’s continued reduced form as he ages in his 30s. Once a ferocious slugger, plus a hitter who can run a .300 average, Tapia hasn’t hit over 30 home runs since 2028. His 14 doubles thus far are pacing for his career low for a full season, with his .255 following suit. With him producing such disappointing results, Baltimore is just eighth in homers and runs scored, a far cry from last decade where they were consistently one of the scariest offenses in the league with Tapia producing up to 50 home runs a year.
18.9: Baltimore’s strikeout rate: Baltimore’s offense hasn’t been great, but they do lead the league in strikeout rate. The team makes contact at an excellent clip, putting pressure on defenses to do the work to retire hitters. Some of the team’s speedier hitters are taking advantage of that contact rate, like David Bollman and his .328 average. Seattle has an excellent defense, so it may be tough for Baltimore’s approach to punch through today.
Questions for the GMs:
For Jay Bigs, you recently acquired Raimfer Salinas and Brian Villanueve. Why did you make those two moves?
Vinny Escudero has gotten into 69 games this year. Did you expect to see him playing more often that that when you acquired him to essentially be your 10th man, but a player who can play everywhere?
You were down on Ivan Johnson entering the year, but he’s had a very nice campaign. Did you expect him to regain his previous Seattle form when you acquired him?
For Dan Wagner, four games under .500, will you be trying to make a run at the Wild Card over the second half or giving your youngsters a look?
Burbank has really struggled with BABIP since you’ve taken over the team. Bad luck or is there any other explanation?
Seattle has an excellent defense, and one that you struggled to succeed against in your earlier series. Will that change your lineup choices today or not?
TRIVIA: Vinny Escudero was originally a draft pick of the Baltimore Orioles and was traded to Cincinnati, along with Andrew Knutsen, for a single All-Star player. Who was that player?
