June 19, 2007
Riding the Waves
Jerry Brewer looks at the up and down year experienced by the Seattle Mariners:
The Mariners have 81-81 written all over them. They're hitting .284 and allowing opponents to hit .284. They've scored 335 runs and allowed 337. They're as good as their 9-of-10 winning streak and as bad as their current five-game losing streak.
It's a transitional season for a franchise that finished 63-99, 69-93 and 78-84 the previous three seasons. Everyone wants to be the Detroit Tigers, who went from laughingstock to the World Series last season, but those success stories don't occur every year.
In reality, this team might only be good enough to frustrate the overeager among us.
Luck is evening out quickly for the Mariners. I still feel the team is better than expected, but with the Angels playing so well, it's going to be tough to catch them.
The difference between a solid, possible wildcard season and frustrating mediocrity = JEFF WEAVER.