The Mariners have scuffled, but the schedule is in their favor, at least theoretically.
At 22-26 and losers of three straight games, it's hard to find optimism for the Seattle Mariners right now.
But if you're looking for some, here it is for you:
On Sunday, the M's called up Colt Emerson, the No. 6 prospect (per MLB Pipeline) in baseball. He didn't look overwhelmed in his debut, going 0-for-2 with a walk. One of his flyouts to right field was hit well near the warning track. Perhaps he can help whatever the M's have been lacking through the first 48 games.
Also beginning Monday, the Mariners have the fifth-easiest schedule for the rest of the season, according to Tankathon. Their opponent winning percentage is just .476. Furthermore, of the next 10 series for Seattle, eight of them are against teams with losing records.
Of course, it's not always who you play, it's when you play them: The New York Mets, for instance, are 20-26 but playing better and the Boston Red Sox are certainly talented enough to turn it around. So things can look very different by the time these teams get to the M's, but the fact remains: The Mariners have a softer stretch in their schedule and they have to be able to take care of business, even as the injuries and chaos piles up around them.
Seattle Mariners third baseman Colt Emerson (4) runs towards first base after walking against the San Diego Padres during the sixth inning at T-Mobile Park. Steven Bisig-Imagn ImagesHere's the M's current schedule for those 10 next series:
May 18-20: Home vs. Chicago White Sox (currently over .500)
May 22-24: Away @ Kansas City Royals (under .500)
May 25-27: Away @ Athletics (over .500)
May 29-31: Home vs. Arizona Diamondbacks (currently under .500)
June 1-3: Home vs. New York Mets (under .500)
June 5-7: Away @ Detroit Tigers (under .500)
June 8-11: Away @ Baltimore Orioles (under .500)
June 12-14: Away @ Washington Nationals (under .500)
June 16-18: Home vs. Baltimore Orioles (under .500)
June 19-21: Home vs. Boston Red Sox (under .500)
The Mariners will kick off this stretch against the White Sox, who have won seven of their last 10, on Monday. First pitch is set for 6:40 p.m. PT as right-hander Bryan Woo pitches against left-hander Noah Schultz.
Of note
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