Being overlooked here. The Mariners faced the 4th fewest batters; their SO% was still second to last (though 16% SO rate makes them a lot better than the Indians at 15.5% and pretty close to the Orioles at 16.1%), but their 7.4% BB rate was third best in the majors (despite giving 240+ innings to guys with rates above 10%). They also had the 4th fewest hit batsmen (while having the 6th highest WP number, so there may be an element of knowing the catchers too).
I think this is another facet of Zduriencik playing to his park. I find it funny that there was just a discussion here about how the blogosphere doesn't understand that certain pitchers run different BABiP numbers, but nobody checked the Mariners' Pitching BABiP? They were 3rd this year and 1st the year before in (Lowest) BABiP (the BABiP since Zduriencik took over is about .277). Limiting men on base is the key and they did that (~.315 OBP over the last 2 years good for 3rd lowest in '09, and 6th lowest in '10). As long as the Mariners can take advantage of good defense, slow grass, thick air, and punishing wind, then whatever works.
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