The Seattle Mariners are heading into the second half with their pitching plan already set: a six-man rotation for the first six games after the All-Star Break.
That decision comes as the club opens a stretch of two three-game series at T-Mobile Park, first against the San Francisco Giants and then the Cincinnati Reds. According to Ryan Divish of the Seattle Times, Seattle will stick with the six-man setup as it comes out of the break.
It’s a notable call, but not a shocking one given how the rotation performed in the first half. Even in a disappointing overall season, the Mariners’ starters were one of the team’s clear strengths. Seattle’s rotation finished sixth in the majors with a 3.64 ERA, third in the majors and first in the American League with 544 strikeouts, third in the majors and first in the AL with 1.11, and sixth in opposing batting average at .235.
The Mariners have also spent the first half mixing and matching their pitching usage. The staff has been used in different arrangements, including piggyback looks and traditional six-man rotations, though the team has moved away from scheduled piggyback outings.
Seattle will start the second half at 48-49, sitting 1.5 games behind the Texas Rangers in the American League West. The Mariners are also tied with the Minnesota Twins for the third and final AL wild card spot.
There are still a few injury situations to watch as the homestand begins. Utility player Brendan Donovan, who has missed two months with a left groin strain, started a rehab assignment with the Arizona Complex League Mariners on Thursday.
It’s his second trip to the injured list with the same issue, tied to the sports hernia surgery he had last year with the St. Louis Cardinals.
The Mariners were also without three-time All-Star and starting center fielder Julio Rodriguez, who went on the seven-day concussion injured list before the team’s final road trip of the first half. The team has not said whether Rodriguez will be ready for the start of the homestand.
Seattle’s first game back is Friday at 7:10 p.m. PT against San Francisco at T-Mobile Park. The game will air on Seattle’s local FOX TV affiliate, Channel 13, and stream on FOX One.
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