Final 24 games for the Mariners: 12 each at home and on the road. Three games in Toronto are the only games against a non-postseason contender. What an opportunity for the young M’s against Oakland, Texas, the Angels and Baltimore.
“I don’t want to hear about being spoilers,” belted Mariners manager Eric Wedge at the cage during batting practice. “We’re about competing and winning!”
If the Mariners play well in what should be a final month of playoff type atmosphere, they have a shot at finishing with a record of .500 or better. That concept could not have been broached a few months ago. If the M’s go 14-10, they’ll finish right at 81-81.
Mariners fans will like that Cy Young Award candidate Felix Hernandez has a probable five starts (after tonight) for the stretch run. Hernandez is 9-1, with a 1.62 ERA in his last 15 starts.
How about the super surprising Athletics? The A’s play 17 of their last 26 games on the road. They enter tonight with a 34-30 road record. They’ll be tested on a 10-day trip to Detroit, New York and Texas. A big salute to the Athletics if they make the post-season.
We’ve seen the Yankees come back to the pack in the A.L. East. I’m looking forward to seeing how the front running Rangers finish. Texas has @ Tampa Bay, Cleveland, Mariners, @Angels, @ Seattle, Oakland, Angels, and @ Oakland to finish up.
The Angels host Detroit, Oakland, @Kansas City , Texas, White Sox, Mariners, @Texas and at the Mariners.
This is a terrific way to end the regular season with big doings in the A.L. West.
