{"id":60900,"date":"2023-08-22T07:00:11","date_gmt":"2023-08-22T11:00:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/?p=60900"},"modified":"2023-08-21T15:23:49","modified_gmt":"2023-08-21T19:23:49","slug":"mariners-playoff-deadline-sewald","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2023\/08\/22\/mariners-playoff-deadline-sewald\/","title":{"rendered":"Mariners Playoff Hopes Increasing Despite Odd Deadline Move"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Despite the strange choice to trade away their closer at the trade deadline, the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2023\/08\/18\/astros-vs-mariners-rodriguezs-hot-streak-faces-tough-pitching\/\" target=\"_self\">Seattle Mariners<\/a> are one of the hottest teams in the league. Riding perhaps the league&#8217;s best rotation and a red-hot offense, the Mariners swept the division-rival Houston Astros.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">The <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Mariners?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">@Mariners<\/a> secure their 6th series sweep of the season and their first sweep of Houston since Aug. 9-12, 2018 (4 G).<\/p>\n<p>Seattle has won 6-consecutive games, improving to 16-4 over its last 20 games.<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Mariners PR (@MarinersPR) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/MarinersPR\/status\/1693358855185420491?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">August 20, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">In August alone, the Mariners are 14-4. The hot streak comes on the heels of Seattle&#8217;s one significant trade deadline move, in which closer\u00a0<\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/s\/sewalpa01.shtml\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Paul Sewald<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0was traded to the\u00a0<\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2023\/08\/18\/padres-vs-diamondbacks-nl-west-showdown-in-san-diego\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Arizona Diamondbacks<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">. In return, the Mariners received two advanced prospects and a utility player. However, the Mariners&#8217; surge has been mainly on the backs of their existing players. Let&#8217;s look at how Seattle has played so well and why the Sewald trade has yet to sink the ship.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Was Seattle&#8217;s Bullpen Underrated?<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Usually, trading away a high-caliber closer in midseason indicates that a team is selling to reload for the future. Contenders don&#8217;t trade away a player with such value if they intend to be playing in October. Sewald came with an additional year of club control beyond 2023. He was a legitimately valuable asset to have on a roster. However, Seattle hasn&#8217;t shied away from surprising or unique deals in the past. The Sewald deal was not even the first of its type; Mariners, closer\u00a0<\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/g\/graveke01.shtml\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Kendall Graveman<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">, was traded to the Astros at the 2021 deadline. This time around, Seattle has thrived even with the subtraction. In 2021, they missed the playoffs. So, what&#8217;s different?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The Mariners&#8217; playoff hopes are supported by elite bullpen production, particularly in August. Since the trade deadline, Mariners relievers are 4th in baseball in ERA (2.54) and tied for the league lead in WAR in that same span (1.1). Right-hander\u00a0<\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/m\/munozan01.shtml\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Andr\u00e9s Mu\u00f1oz<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0has taken over closing duties, going 5-6 in save opportunities. The rest of the bullpen has been just as automatic. Sunday&#8217;s game showcased this perfectly: starter\u00a0<\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/h\/hancoem01.shtml\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Emerson Hancock<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0only lasted two innings, and lefty Tayler Saucedo could not retire any of the five batters he faced. All five scored in the inning. However, six Seattle relievers allowed only one run in the next seven innings, striking out eight and only allowing six hits. The game characterized the bullpen&#8217;s August month, picking up their peers&#8217; slack and securing a close divisional victory.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Clicking on All Cylinders<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Despite the bullpen&#8217;s dominance in August, Seattle has also been bolstered by a strong starting rotation all season. Seattle&#8217;s starters boast the sixth-best ERA in baseball this year (3.86), a figure from the league&#8217;s lowest walk rate (2.01 BB\/9). Seattle&#8217;s pitchers fill up the zone. Despite having a mediocre strikeout rate (8.42 K\/9, 15th in MLB), the pitching staff has been one of the most effective in the league. Young starters\u00a0<\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/g\/gilbelo01.shtml\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Logan Gilbert<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">,\u00a0<\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/k\/kirbyge01.shtml\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">George Kirby<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">, and\u00a0<\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/m\/millebr04.shtml\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Bryce Miller<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0have formed the team&#8217;s backbone behind ace Luis Castillo, and their arms have kept the bullpen fresh and compelling.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">In addition to a strong top-to-bottom pitching staff, the Mariners playoff push in recent weeks has been sent to another level because of an offensive resurgence. This month, Seattle leads the American League in WRC+ with a 137 mark (100 is the league average), trailing the historically good Atlanta Braves by just three percent. At first glance, some attribute this to Seattle&#8217;s return in the Sewald deal. However, the two major-league players that joined the Mariners at the beginning of the month have had marginal impacts.\u00a0<\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/c\/canzodo01.shtml\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Dominic Canzone<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">, a rookie first baseman, has hit .238 in 47 plate appearances and has been a roughly league-average hitter (104 OPS+). Infielder\u00a0<\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/r\/rojasjo01.shtml\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Josh Rojas<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0has been worse, hitting just .211 in a Mariners uniform and holding a 59 OPS+. The historic stretch by star center fielder\u00a0<\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/r\/rodriju01.shtml\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Julio Rodr\u00edguez<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0has sustained the offense.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"ca\">Julio Rodr\u00edguez sets a major league record with his 17th hit in his last four games! Ridiculous <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/qcArsul1gD\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/qcArsul1gD<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Talkin\u2019 Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/TalkinBaseball_\/status\/1693074686706344015?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">August 20, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<h3><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The Playoff Picture Is Changing<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">With the Mariners&#8217; playoff push coming at the right time, Seattle now holds the third American League Wild Card spot. After overtaking them last week, the Mariners have a half-game lead over the\u00a0<\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2023\/08\/21\/bo-bichettes-return-equals-juice\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Toronto Blue Jays<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">. They stand only a half-game behind the Astros for the second spot in the Wild Card standings and the AL West. After facing a divisional hole of 3.5 games at the trade deadline, Seattle has proven they are a severe contender to October and built to threaten a deep run. Looking back on the Sewald trade, it&#8217;s clear that the Mariners dealt from a position of strength, and their faith has paid off. If it continues, Seattle will threaten their division and the World Series trophy two months from now.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Main Photo Credits: Erik Williams-USA TODAY Sports<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Despite the strange choice to trade away their closer at the trade deadline, the Seattle Mariners are one of the hottest teams in the league. Riding perhaps the league&#8217;s best rotation and a red-hot offense, the Mariners swept the division-rival Houston Astros. The @Mariners secure their 6th series sweep of the season and their first [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4771,"featured_media":60903,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[17,1071],"tags":[5589,326,6513,246,2974,4308,2050,922,5586,36],"class_list":["post-60900","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-mariners","category-mlb","tag-andres-munoz","tag-arizona-diamondbacks","tag-dominic-canzone","tag-houston-astros","tag-josh-rojas","tag-julio-rodriguez","tag-logan-gilbert","tag-luis-castillo","tag-paul-sewald","tag-toronto-blue-jays"],"modified_by":"Evan Mazza, Site Editor","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/60900","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4771"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=60900"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/60900\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/60903"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=60900"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=60900"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=60900"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}