Julio Rodriguez is set to return from injury, and the Mariners are kicking off their second half against a San Francisco Giants squad that’s a full-blown circus. After a disappointing end to the first half, our M’s desperately need to start fresh, and a six-game homestand against a pair of weaker National League teams like the Giants is exactly the “soft landing” we need. This is our chance, Seattle, to grab a crucial spark before a huge matchup against Texas next weekend.
Time to Feast on a Struggling NL Foe
Our Mariners are sitting at 48-49, but this series against the 41-55 Giants feels like a golden opportunity to climb back. We know our guys can hit, with the M’s batting at a 100 wRC+, putting us 8th in the AL. Plus, our bullpen is absolute fire, boasting a 91 FIP- which is good for 3rd in the league. We’re favored to win all three games, with odds at 58.3% for Game 1 on Friday, 54.1% for Game 2 on Saturday, and a whopping 63.8% for the series finale on Sunday. These are prime chances to put some W’s on the board, build confidence, and kickstart a much better second half.
The Giants Are a Mess, On and Off the Field
Honestly, the Giants are a disaster. This team was supposed to challenge for an NL Wild Card spot, but they’re already looking to reset their roster at the trade deadline. Their play on the field has been uninspired, but that’s just the half of it. Off-field issues are completely overshadowing everything they do. We’re talking about a Pride Night controversy, mismanagement from new manager Tony Vitello, and tone-deaf comments from players and their president of baseball operations, Buster Posey. It’s been a total circus down there, and you can’t tell me those distractions aren’t taking a serious toll. Their stats show it too: their starting pitching has a 103 FIP- (8th in NL), their bullpen is at 108 FIP- (12th), and their fielding is a rough -1 FRV (9th).
Even Their Bright Spots Can’t Save Them
Even with all that chaos, the Giants do have a few guys who are actually playing well. Luis Arraez earned an NL All-Star spot thanks to a career-best season. He’s got his highest power output ever with 21 doubles and seven triples, and he’s even turned into an excellent defender at second base. Rafael Devers, despite a slow start, has been crushing it since June, posting a 147 wRC+ and 12 home runs. But one or two bright spots aren’t enough to save a team that’s crumbling. For our M’s, this series is all about capitalizing on that chaos. It’s time to shake off that disappointing first half, get Julio back in rhythm, and show the league that the Emerald City is ready to make some noise.
Game 1 is Friday, July 17, at 7:10 pm. Let’s get that spark!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
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