2012 Mariners, week 2

The second week of the Mariners 2012 season is complete, and some things are clearing up while others aren't so clear.  I think I'll stick with the good, bad and ugly theme I started last week.  Overall, the M's stand at 6-5 on the year, dropping 3 of 4 in Texas and winning 2 of 3 against Oakland at home.

THE GOOD:  Starting pitching has been as good as advertised, if you throw out Hector Noesi's disastrous first start against Texas.  They've been keeping the team in the game and pitching consistently into the 6th or 7th inning.  That's all you can ask from a starting staff.  Speaking of Noesi, he followed that awful game in Texas with a gem against Oakland at home, pitching 7 innings in a 4-0 shutout.  Blake Beavan followed up his hard-luck 1-0 loss in Texas with another outstanding effort on Sunday in the Mariners 5-3 win.  The offense continues to be sparked by Kyle Seager, newcomer Jesus Montero and Ichiro.  Chone Figgins' fast start seems to have cooled off, but he's still getting on base and playing well in the outfield.  In other good news, Mike Carp is off the DL, and will be back in the lineup soon.  That means Casper Wells is likely to be sent down to Tacoma, as Alex Liddi is more versatile and is actually hitting.  Despite losing three of four to Texas, the Mariners kept battling in every game and did not roll over.  This should send a message to the Rangers and Angels that they are going to have to earn every win against them this year.  With a consistent offense, we would have had at least a split in that series.  In the bullpen, Rule-5 pickup Luetge and Brandon League have both been outstanding so far.

THE BAD:  The offense was inconsistent at best last week.  They jumped out to a 5-2 lead against Yu Darvish and the Rangers after two innings, but were unable to put anything else on the board in an 11-5 thumping.  They were also shut down by the A's Bartolo Colon for the second time in three tries against him this season.  Mariners bats were quiet all week for the most part.  Justin Smoak may lead the team with 2 HR's at this point, but he's being overly aggressive and not taking pitches when it matters.  In the game against the Rangers' Derek Holland, he had runners on with 2 out and a 2-0 count.  Holland threw a great Change-up on the black at 86 mph.  A professional hitter should know to take that pitch, tip his cap and look for a fastball to drive on 2-1.  Smoak took a wild hack and hit a weak tapper back to the mound.  Casper Wells has been ineffective in limited AB's and needs to be sent down for some consistent playing time to work on timing and his confidence, in my opinion.  Another issue is the number of times the guys are striking out looking, especially on fastballs on the inner-half.  Those should be mistakes to turn on.  You can't be up there guessing.  See it and hit it!

THE UGLY:  Steve Delabar.  Three HR's in 3 appearances.  George Sherrill is on the 15-day DL with elbow problems.  Franklin Gutierrez is still weeks away from returning from his pectoral injury.  The ugliest thing?  Miguel Olivo's batting average.  This guy barely hit over .200 last year, but was kept for his "defense."  This season, he's struggling to keep that BA over .100.  You can't have that in the middle of the lineup from an almost everyday player.  Let Montero catch on the days they are facing a lefty and let's see what the left-handed hitting Jaso can do against righties.  He can't do any worse!  Are you listening, Mr. Wedge, oh-he-of-the-ever-changing lineups?  Could any part of the offensive inconsistency *possibly* be because the batting order and lineup changes on a daily basis?  Yes some tinkering is necessary, but this went on all of last season and has continued this season.