(Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)
The Mariners still hold the top spot in the American League with a team ERA of 3.01. Starters Erik Bedard, Jarrod Washburn, and Chris Jakubauskas in his first major league start all pitched at least five innings and gave up two or less earned runs during the week.
Combine that with a bullpen who on the week had a combined ERA of 2.29 in 19.2 innings equals success. That is if the offense could help them out every once in awhile.
On the year, Mariner pitchers have given up just five home runs. There's already five pitchers alone in the major leagues who have given up at least that many.
Coming into the year, questions surrounded the closer like, who was it going to be? After reliever Brandon Morrow made his announcement that in the bullpen was where he felt more comfortable, he's locked down a position that many fans thought wouldn't be important this season. The M's rank first in saves (five) and save opportunities (seven).
I don't think the Mariner pitching will hold up as well as it has been. I think more than anything, they're a product of a weak division. But in the end, all they really have to be is better than three teams to make the playoffs. Anaheim, Oakland, and the Texas Rangers.
8-5 still gives them the second best record in the league but after an opening week run differential of plus 10, they follow that up with an even run differential against more quality opponents.
The Mariner's host a three game series with the Tampa Bay Rays starting Tuesday, April 21st, before heading to Anaheim for three games. The Anaheim series will begin a stretch of 15 of 20 games being on the road.
Offensive Player of the Week: Endy Chavez - 9 for 22 (.409) while hitting his first home run of the year. This is Chavez second POW.
Pitcher of the Week: Jarrod Washburn - Pitched six innings while giving up only two runs on four hits and walking none in an 11-3 Mariner victory. On the season, Washburn is 2-0 with a 1.29 ERA.
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