While I'm enjoying the streak as much as anyone, I said before it started that this team is practically engineered to be streaky.
While the bullpen may not be quite as bad as I feared, I believe it a mistake to interpret a few good outings as cause to dismiss the way they pitched during the 7-game losing streak.
In the end, the roster is pretty much the same as the one that lost 7 in a row - (except Lueke is gone). Over the last 7 days, the team has a cumulative OPS+ of 117. Does ANYONE think this offense is a 117 OPS+ offense?
In the last 7 days, opponents have posted a 60 OPS+ against Seattle pitching. Is THAT going to continue?
The reality of the roster hasn't changed. The offense is realistically "at best" a low 90s OPS+, (which has hit WAY above that during this streak).
The rotation is solid - but the bullpen is questionable.
It was an error to believe the club was as bad as they were when losing 7 in a row. It's equally an error to pretend they are as good as they've played during this streak. They aren't.
Outside of Smoak, the club doesn't have an infielder "likely" to post a .700 OPS. For the season, they have a grand total of 3 HRs from their primary starting OFs and DH -- COMBINED.
In the bullpen, Ray, Wilhelmsen and Lueke all flamed out. So far, the club hasn't even looked at a replacement, (which may be a comment on their confidence level in that regard).
Perhaps the best news is the team DER is up to .691 - (11th in the AL) - but a drastic improvement over their numbers when they were losing.
The team still has 4-7 bats which could go silent at any moment. They still have a bullpen filled with guys that make the home fans more nervous than the opposition. I'd love to be wrong, but if I take an honest assessment of the talent on this club - it STILL remains a club that has sub-.500 talent. Certainly, there are "miracle" scenarios where the club remains in the race all year - (Bradley finds his .900 OPS ... Figgins finds his .750 OPS ... Cust finds his power stroke ... Ackley comes up and hits .800 ... Guti returns and hits .800). You get enough of the "we can hope" scenarios at once ... then yes, the team "could" compete long term.
But, my money is still on another 7-10 game losing streak jumping up and biting the club in the butt between now and the Break.
Add new comment
1