The offense has been brutal, but there are actually other things that are bothering me more about the M's struggles through 11 games. We discussed those on the most recent 'Refuse to Lose' podcast.
Through 11 games, the Seattle Mariners are a very disappointing 4-7 on the season. Now, it's not time to worry. After all, the 2025 Mariners were 4-8 through their first 12 and ended up winning 90 games and the American League West title.
Furthermore, fluky and weird things happen at the beginning of seasons. The Boston Red Sox went to the playoffs last year and have a solid roster: They are 2-8. The Toronto Blue Jays nearly won the World Series a season ago: They are 4-6 and just got swept by the Chicago White Sox, after dropping a series to the lowly Colorado Rockies.
When you look at what's wrong with this team, the offensive woes are glaring. The team has the worst batting average (.188) in baseball and the second-most strikeouts (111).
The offense is the easy target, but if you ask me what my biggest frustration is? It's the lack of attention to detail, as I discussed on the most recent 'Refuse to Lose' podcast.
Seattle Mariners shortstop Leo Rivas (76) challenges a call during the sixth inning against the Cleveland Guardians at T-Mobile Park. Stephen Brashear-Imagn Images"On Monday alone, Josh Naylor spikes a throw that should be an easy double play into left field. Instead of an inning-ending double play, we end up with a runner at third and two outs. Now, Logan Gilbert gets out of it, but that is a out you cannot give. You have Randy Arozarena misplaying a ball in the outfield that ends up being a game-winning double. You have Randy Arozarena misplaying a ball and diving for it and inexplicably letting it get past him, resulting in a double there.
You have Logan Gilbert going 0-2 on a hitter in the 6th inning, and then spiking three consecutive splitters while pitching the go-ahead run to second, setting up the Randy Arozarena misplayed double that ultimately ends up being the game-winning run, right? And look, that was Monday alone. That's on top of the nonsense we saw over the weekend.
Leo Rivas, critical error at third gives the Angels a go-ahead run. Leo Rivas getting picked off after a walk. Leo Rivas not getting a bunt down on Saturday night. Leo Rivas playing in when it's two outs and a runner at third in a situation I'm not really sure he should be in for. And look, I'm not just picking on Leo Rivas. Hey, this is everybody. How about the team's inability to cash in on leadoff walks, on two-out walks, on five walks from a rookie starter on Sunday? The inability to move runners over, the inability to hit sac flies. Beyond Leo Rivas not getting bunts down, we saw Ryan Bliss not get a bunt down earlier this season. Randy Arozarena misplayed a ball, misplayed two balls on Monday. He misplayed that same play on Sunday, diving for a ball that he doesn't catch or keep in front of him. It gets past him, and it ultimately becomes a double, which ultimately leads to a run. This is equal opportunity blame."
The Mariners will try to play better on Tuesday night (5:05 p.m. PT) against the Rangers.
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