A Look At the Seattle Mariners' Starting Rotation: So Far, So Good

Although Seattle has lost two in a row against division rival Texas, the M's are still in first place with 15-12 record.

But some of their hitters, like Adrian Beltre, keep struggling, and Endy Chavez, who had a hot start, is cooling off.

Also, the M's were without All-Star outfielder Ichiro Suzuki for first eight games. So what has helped this team to come all the way from second-worst team in baseball to the division leader?

It's pitching, especially their starters.

Here's the Mariners rotation: Felix Hernandez, Erik Bedard, Jarrod Washburn, Carlos Silva, and Chris Jakubauskas.

Not too awe inspiring. But look at their stats.

Bedard went on to the DL twice last season and finished 6-4; Washburn had a losing season; Silva's ERA went all the way to 6.46; and nobody knows Jakubauskas at all.

So what has happened?

Felix Hernadez: 4-1, 3.38 ERA, 45 K (Second Best in AL), 1.18 WHIP

Erik Bedard; 2-1, 2.37 ERA (Second Best in AL), 39 K, 1.05 WHIP

Jarrod Washburn: 3-1, 2.97 ERA, 23 K, 1.08 WHIP

Carlos Silva: 1-2, 7.36 ERA, 10 K, 1.48 WHIP

Chris Jakubauskas: 1-3, 5.76 ERA, 11K's, 1.28 WHIP

Bedard is finally healthy, as he went through April without an issue; Hernandez is pitching as usual, but his WHIP rate is the best in last four years; Washburn is enjoying a good start to his contract year.

Silva is off to a terrible start, but he will get better as the season goes. Jakubauskas has an ERA over five, but his WHIP is way better than CC Sabathia and A.J. Burnett.

This impressive start for the rotation has carried the M's while their hitters struggling. If Silve and Jakubauska can bounce back, the Mariners are team to watch out for come September and...October?