The biggest homestand of the season is upon us and to kick things off, we sit down with Angie Mentink from the Seattle Mariners broadcast team.
Q: Let’s start with the injuries that Dan Wilson has had to juggle and manage, albeit Cal Raleigh is back. Injuries are certainly something Astros fans can relate to. What is the latest on injuries for the Mariners?
A: Injuries? How much time do we have? Of course the loss of Cal hurts for any amount of time—and his bat is just a small part of it—his catching
and the trust that the staff has in him is so central to this team‘s success.
There have been so many—impacting several things—This team was just figuring out how lucky they were to have Brendan Donovan when we lost him. J.P. Crawford has been good at the top of the order so that has helped with the sting of losing BD but he should be back on this trip. I don’t want to overlook the absence of Victor Robles in right field either, just a guy that plays great defense and lengthens the batting lineup— having said all that— I think the really difficult injuries are to the leverage arms in the bullpen, to Matt Brash and Gabe Speier, it pinches Dan Wilson for sure.
Q: Bryan Woo. I’d pay good money to see him but he’s been somewhat up and down thus far. What have you seen from him?
A: His last start was terrific, but the two starts before that had everyone shocked and perplexed. He hadn’t given up a home run up until that point and then it was like Oprah—you get a home run and you get a home run and you get a home run. The league is always going to zero in on you when you are successful and you have to adjust and I think we are seeing that with him.
Q: Julio had a big homerun a few days ago against the Braves. Does it “feel” like he’s about to heat up?
A: Yes, and I think he’s early this year! Everybody wants Julio to get off to a fast start. He just hasn’t done it yet, but when he does, I think he will start putting together those MVP seasons in the meantime, I enjoy watching him grind out at bats in April and May and I look forward to looking up in September and seeing another 30/30 from him.
Last Q: Any general thoughts on the division and how no one (yet) has broken away from the pack?
A: Honestly, I’m not sure what to make of the division. Every team seems to be dealing with a different problem or issue. I still think the Mariners have the most complete team. Their rotation is gross— and that was before they had Emerson Hancock filling in for Bryce Miller, who is nearly back. It is no secret—The heart of the order didn’t come out of the gates hot, but they are starting to slug and if that continues, I think they will start to pull away.
