Game 51, Twins at Mariners
Wade LeBlanc vs. Jake Odorizzi, 7:10
The M’s are 30-20 after 50 games, and while you can point to an easier schedule in May, the club’s pitching seems to be improving at just the right time. The bullpen got better yesterday, my grumpy diatribe notwithstanding. I’d love the M’s to start growing their own, but I get the sense of urgency that being-in-wild-card-position brings.
I’m out in Eastern Washington, driving through small towns from Republic to Nespelem to Grand Coulee and I have to say it was notable how many M’s hats/shirts/stickers I saw. The whole region wants to believe, and probably *does* believe in the team more than your scribe, whose love is unconditional yet guarded. But seeing those hats in remote Washington, as my daughter spotted a Felix shirsey makes me realize that you’ve got to stop worrying about development and love Wade LeBlanc’s devil magic.
1: Segura, SS
2: Heredia, CF
3: Haniger, RF
4: Cruz, DH
5: Seager, 3B
6: Healy, 1B
7: Gamel, LF
8: Zunino, C
9: Romine, 2B
SP: LeBlanc
3 innings, 34 pitches (21 for strikes), 1 hit and 1 BB.
LeBlanc has outpitched Yu Darvish til this point in the season and Darvish is now hitting the DL.
Watching Zunino swinging through pitches in the zone is disheartening.
Healy probably should have had that hit off the bat of Rosario. Wade has pitched well, though he may be done for the night.
Hurray for Zunino’s one hit being the game winner!!!
^Zunino had more than just one hit, just not literal hits. His defense was stellar.
Gamel continues hit. It will be fun to see if Colome get’s the nod to close today if they end up in a save situation.
It’s been a long time since we’ve won this much.. so I won’t get too crazy here. But someday when Cruz, Segura, Gordon, Haniger are all healthy and in the lineup together… I hope this amazing pitching holds up!
We here in Eastern Washington do not consider it “remote.” In fact, many of us attend games at Safeco, travel to Peoria, etc.
BTW, I fully agree with your view of the Colome trade.
And the streak continues! Its mind blowing how the Ms are 33-20 with the starting pitching they have gotten, but wow, here we are.
Here’s hoping to some healthy guys coming back strong, because the bottom of the M’s order is completely terrifying.
And i’ll continue to say it : Diaz look like he got 5 years of experience in one offseason. His poise, his demeanor, his execution.. He really looks great and comforable out there and Mr. Dipitos dollar store bullpen is somehow the strength of this team. Whodathunkit?
Jerry Dipoto’s most significant off-season moves have been his demon god payments.