=== Taro ===

I/O:  Its early yeah, but:  Felix starts: 2-0.  The Rest: 0-5.   (Now 0-6 - Dr. D)

I was never comfortable with the BOR situation.

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CRUNCH:  This was one of the most interesting debates all through March 1-31, and for that reason it's not too early to ask about that anti-Washburn decision.

The average Mariner ballgame has been +2.6 runs for, -4.9 runs against, so obviously the offense is the big problem.  But let's take a look:  in the first eight games, has the anti-Washburn call cost us?

You could go look up the WAR, and learn exactly nothing:

• Felix:  +0.1
• Snell:  -0.1
• RRS: -0.1 (before Monday; probably will stay the same)
• Fister:  +0.0
• Vargas: +0.1

Are we having fun yet? :- )   Thought not.  Okay, then let's go to the Detect-O-Vision Mainframe.  First question: how well have they pitched, as a group.

Back-of-the-rotation ERA+s with K/BB and HR's attached:

• Snell:  82 ERA+, 4:4 with 2 homers in 9 innings
• RRS: about an 80 ERA+ now,  ... 2 K and 6 BB with 2 HR in 12 IP
• Fister:  96 ERA+, 2:3 control (in ump ripoff game), 0 HR in 4 IP
• Vargas:  50 ERA+, 5:1 control, 1 HR in 5.1 IP
• Total:  75 ERA+ or so, 13:14 control, 5 HR in six starts

Hm.  The control suggests early on that, as a group, the pitching has not been ML quality.

The eyes confirm:  these kids have been fighting gamely, but they've been nibbling with questionable stuff, and the umps haven't appreciated it much.  The kids haven't been blown out, but they've been fighting a rearguard action.

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=== Play-By-Play Dept. ===

Taking a quick look at the individual games pitched by the "back of our rotation" which is everybody except Felix:

On Apr 6 - lost 1-2 in 10 innings.  No starter issue whatsoever.

On Apr 7 - M's had early leads of 2-0 and middle-inning leads of 4-3 and 5-4, but RRS labored through five, handing a 4-4 game to the bullpen after just the 5th inning.

On Apr 8 - M's were shut out until the 9th.  Fister handed a 2-0 deficit to the pen in the 5th.  The M's lost 6-2 after Oakland rallies in the 6th inning and 8th inning.

On Apr 9 - M's were tied 1-1 after five innings; in the 6th, Jason Vargas was knocked out of the box with a 4-spot that lost the game.   The M's finished with 2 runs.

On Apr 11 - Snell, apparently pitching in bereavement, had given up 5 runs through 2 IP and the deflated M's lost mechanically.

On Apr 12 - RRS had a 9 up, 9 down, 0-strikeout first trip through the lineup, gamely fought his way to an 0-2 deficit going into the 7th.  Gave up four runs, walked 5 against 1 strikeout, was probably lucky to give up only four.

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Which means what?

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Part 2