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Doug Fister (0-2, 2.31) vs. Bruce Chen (1-0, 4.09)
Erik Bedard (0-2, 9.00) vs. Luke Hochevar (1-1, 5.30)
Felix Hernandez (1-1, 4.50) vs. Sean O'Sullivan (0-1, 11.25)
Michael Pineda (1-1, 2.70) vs. Jeff Francis (0-0, 2.61)

LHP, RHP, RHP, and LHP, respectively, for KC.

Well, bounce back efforts from Bedard and Felix would be much appreciated. I guess I expect as much from Felix, we'll see what we get from Bedard. Fister's pitched fairly well this year, it'd be nice to get him his first win. We're honored with brunch with Pineda Sunday morning.

Oh, and let's score some runs. Or something.

Well, that's what I get for saying Fister's pitched pretty well in the early going. I thought we hit some good shots early that unfortunately found some Royal gloves (especially that Smoak would-be 2B in the second) but before you know it another mediocre pitcher had shut us down into the 6th, 7th, then 8th inning.

Olivo has an uncanny knack for going 0-4 and leaving several guys on base. Sure glad we won't jeopardize our streak of ungodly non-production from the catcher spot.

It's just too painfully frustrating to watch. Hitting .218 as a team as of now. Picked up right where we left off last year when I thought the only place we could go was up in this regard.

holy crap the mariners score a first inning run

Ichiro doubled, figgins gets him to third, bradley walks, cust huffs and puffs his way down to first and just beats out the would-be double play.

We both suck and blow.

You just can't win with these kinds of hitters...

Bradley .240
Ryan .231
Rodriguez .217
Wilson .207
Cust .191
Saunders .182
Langerhans .160
Figgens .154
Olivo .146

...you just can't

No surprise that we're the worst run-differential team in MLB. Even Pittsburgh, the only team that was worse than us in that department last year, is better than us now.

Ackley better be up here by June.

What's the story with the 3B from Rice? Is he a 'we'll see him by 2012' hitter, or is he a bit more of a project? I mean, assuming we draft him. Which seems likely.

If only this were 2013, when we could have Smoak/Ackley/Franklin/that Rice kid around the infield...!

Speaking of Smoak, the power isn't there this year (just 1 HR) but I'm not opposed to the .283 average, or the .400+ OBP.

Well, we didn't get swept by the Royals. So that's... something.

3-2 win today. Pineda was epic, again. 6 IP, 3 H, 1 ER. Got the win, much to the dismay of League's best efforts to blow it.

TTown wrote:Speaking of Smoak, the power isn't there this year (just 1 HR) but I'm not opposed to the .283 average, or the .400+ OBP.

Well, through 16 games, or roughly 10% of the season, Smoak is at .300 and .420%.

Naturally I don't expect these numbers to stay like that, but I did think it was important for Smoak to get off to a good start this year, and he's certainly done that.

TTown wrote:

TTown wrote:Speaking of Smoak, the power isn't there this year (just 1 HR) but I'm not opposed to the .283 average, or the .400+ OBP.

Well, through 16 games, or roughly 10% of the season, Smoak is at .300 and .420%.

Naturally I don't expect these numbers to stay like that, but I did think it was important for Smoak to get off to a good start this year, and he's certainly done that.

Well it's nice to dream about a 3-4-5 tandem of Ackley, Rendon, and Smoak tearing up the league in 2013.

Rendon is loosely projected to be a 2012 call-up, and a 2013 regular. You never know about these things, but that's what I gather from what I read.

As bad as the offense was all series, watching Pineda own the Royals make it all worthwhile. I don't recall ever seeing a pitcher quite like him on the M's. As great as Felix is, Pineda's one of those rare types who can hit 100mph and may buzz you inside every now and then. Terrifying. I doubt Pineda will be better than Felix...they'll just have a different type of greatness.

While Olivo frustrates the hell out of me, reading Drayer's blog post about the work Olivo does with Pineda both in games and in the bullpen makes me think he's worth his salary. If he keeps Pineda focused and helps in his development then he's probably worth his salary.

Bulltalk wrote:Well it's nice to dream about a 3-4-5 tandem of Ackley, Rendon, and Smoak tearing up the league in 2013.

I'm so hoping that's what happens. And tack Franklin in to that middle infield while you're at it! All we need now is a nice catcher prospect. Maybe Bedard will light the world on fire and find himself in pinstripes in exchange for Montero in Northwest Green.