.

The Mariners are 37-36 ... with a Ptythagorean expectation of 40-33.  Their run differential of +33 would have them at around +100 to finish the year -- usually plenty to get into the playoffs - but their W/L is lagging their runs gained and lost.

As we know, their offense at 90 OPS+ is:

• Searching for answers
• At 90, hardly the train wreck they used to be (79 in 2010 and 84 in 2011)
• Capable of finding answer

The pitching staff already sports a 114 OPS+, and that is despite 17-of-63 (27%) of their starts going to Brandon Maurer, Erasmo Ramirez and Blake Beavan.  That's a little bit like saying you were leading the NFL in passer rating, despite 27% of your passes being interecepted and returned for touchdowns.

.

#1 SP - State of the King Felix

Have you noticed that Justin Verlander has shown some classic signs of shifting into "innings eater'" mode.  As James put it recently, when asked about Tim Lincecum, "when the magic is gone, it is gone."

Meanwhile, in the year 2014, Felix Hernandez has gotten better.  In my opinion, a lot of his rivals (like Verlander) have been more "Max Effort" than Felix has; they have to "hump up" more to get the extra "life" on the ball.  In fact, Felix has gone through periods where his fastball velocity dropped, and his effectiveness stayed rock-steady.  This is because of the command, intelligence, and variety behind his pitches.  He leans the shoulders back to the CF at the last moment, after the hips have engaged; he's got the Bedard Rock; the motion of the arm is glassy and fluid.  Hoo-rawh.

As things shake out here, Felix seem be moving from "one of six truly elite pitchers" to "absolutely the best starting pitcher in the American league."   This was the way that Roger Clemens' career shook out as we moved through the 1990's.

..........

We chip our teeth over the 0-1 and 1-2 losses, but this year's Mariners are 11-5 when Felix starts.  Three of those L's were when he had the flu and lost weight.

The King is throwing the ball better and better, with more purpose, with more velocity even.  Raise your hand if you will be surprised if the Mariners go 13-4 to the wire in Felix' games.  Felix personally needs 12 wins, in about 17 chances, to win 20.

The man was dominant, and lately, he has started spiralling off into his own pitching universe.  I'll take him against anybody in a Wild Card matchup.

A championship #1 starter?  Sure, and many has been the team that won the championship without much else.  Remember 1988, the year the Dodgers won it with Hershiser going 50+ scoreless innings?

• OPS+:  90
• ERA+ 114
• Hersisher 23-8, 2.22 ... won 3 lockdown games in two playoff series

Felix has advanced to that point to where he could personally win you a pennant, given half a chance.