FanPost Friday: 13 games left vibe check

Sep 23, 2022 - 7:10 PM

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Hello and welcome back to FanPost Friday. Had to skip a few weeks for other site programming and also due to my own lack of bandwidth due to a recent job change (a good one!), but here we are back again with less than two weeks to go in the regular season.

Before we get into the VIBE CHECK, I want to sincerely thank everyone who came out to the First Annual Tim Cantu MemoriaLL SoftbaLL Game a few weeks back and also to everyone who came out to last Saturday’s gathering at Growler Guys in Lake City. Both were super fun events and it was so good to see new and familiar faces after not really seeing many people outside my little circle the last couple years. So, thank you all for making both events such a fulfilling, welcoming, and joyful time. No thank you, ever, to the Angels.

On that note, we’re meeting up at Growler Guys again this Saturday, September 24, since the Mariners are still on the road. Kelly at GG and the Mariners Bar League folks have been super accommodating and made the place a very pro-Mariners-fan-space which is not always the case at bars around the region, so we at LL really appreciate that. So come on out, have some beers, a big ol’ soft pretzel, maybe some hot dog specials, and cheer on the Mariners with some new and old pals.

Okay, on with the vibe check. Sheesh, it has been a rough last seven games. After thrilling series versus the Braves and Padres, the Mariners should have been ready to gently yet firmly sweep the disgraced, relegated, absolutely piss-poor Anaheim Angels and Oakland A’s into the dumpster where they belong. But, in tried and true AL West fashion, both teams took it upon themselves to be the wretched turd in the Mariners’ punch bowl that they so often are. Winning two games total in both series and postively struggling to score runs and cluster hits together was certainly not the plan Scott Servais and crew had in mind.

Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports

So, what’s going on? Well, players are rarely 100% healthy at any given point in a baseball season, but that becomes especially true down the final stretch. And it’s just some rotten luck that nearly all the team’s top tier bats are “hurt, but not injured.” Except for Eugenio, who is missing a finger tip currently. It’s a bad scene.

Julio Rodríguez removing himself the game yesterday mid-inning was obviously horrifying for all of us, and now we wait and brace ourselves for what comes next.

The 2022 Mariners have more MLB-ready depth than any Mariners squad in recent memory, but even with some decent bench players it will be nearly impossible to fill the gaps left by injuries to Julio and Eugenio, Mitch Haniger’s also balky back, and Ty France continuing to slump. The unproven upside? Well, Jarred Kelenic is here and he played yesterday with a chip on his shoulder the size of a Washington State Ferry. So, maybe that will continue?

Obviously, I am concerned. Not so much about clinching a Wild Card spot, but more about having any ability to win a single playoff game, let alone a series. Anything can happen, though, and I’m trying to remain focused on the fact that a playoff berth hasn’t happened in 20 seasons here and this city and entire region is ready to ride or die for these Mariners and I can’t wait to experience it with y’all.

Here’s the last playoff-related VIBE CHECK, all the way back from July 29:

Pretty overwhelmingly positive! Let’s see how y’all are feeling now with this 13 GAMES LEFT VIBE CHECK:

Lindsey Wasson-USA TODAY Sports

Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Okay that’s all for this week! Let’s hope for a solid showing versus the Royals this weekend and a continued strong push to lock down a Wild Card spot. Once again, folks, remember this is rarified air we’re in here. Try to breathe it all in while we can, and just remember to breath in general. I hear it’s good for you.

Stay safe and go Mariners.