Rangers (57-52) @ Mariners (57-52) Jul 31-Aug 3, '25...

[Sperrydogg]

Do the mariners have almost a complete lineup of major league hitters? It’s been so long I forgot what it really looks like to see a team that can all play…

 

[Atradees]

Do we have to let Naylor and Suarez reach free agency? How does baseball do FA?

 

[Hawk-Lock]

A very good CF’er makes that catch. Julio got all kinds of turned around. Seems like every other game there is a ball he probably should get but can’t.

 

[Chapow]

Regardless of struggled, with the new roster construction he should be at the bottom. If you put him lead off you’re basically forced to hit Naylor or Geno 6th. Nothing against JP, but even when he’s hitting he doesn’t deserve to be at the top of the lineup.

If JP is the liability in the lineup, that shows just how good we are.

I'm gonna have to beg to differ that he doesn't deserve to be at the top of the lineup when he's hitting.

There were 93 games before the all star break. Well over half a season. In those 93 games, JP hit for a .291 average with a .391 OBP and a .782 OPS. That OBP was well inside the top 10 in all of baseball. If I'm not mistaken, the #1 priority for a leadoff hitter is setting the table for the rest of the lineup (aka get on base). He was doing that at an elite level while also hitting for a very good average and a well above league average OPS.

Even after an extreme slump since the break, he's still hitting for a very, very good average with RISP (.320). Miles better than Julio (.200), Cal, (.230), or Arozarena (.200). I get that people are pissed or whatever that he's been playing so poorly lately, but the non clutch accusation is simply wildly untrue. Especially compared to the guys that are the heart of our order.

Honestly, I think JP is one of those guys that a lot of M's fans just don't like very much for whatever reason. Even when he's playing really well, it seems like it largely goes unnoticed and/or unappreciated. The moment he hits a rough patch, people can't wait to pounce and just go after the guy relentlessly. I just don't get it.

Anyway, right as I'm about to click on the post button, JP leads off the bottom of the 6th with a double. Won't matter, fans will start tearing him apart again at the next available opportunity.

 

[Sperrydogg]

Julio!!!!!

 

[Chapow]

Awesome CLUTCH hit by Julio to tie the game!

 

[Hawk-Lock]

Kelly melting down.

 

[Sperrydogg]

Wow what a cool inning! We get four outs

 

[Sperrydogg]

I'm gonna have to beg to differ that he doesn't deserve to be at the top of the lineup when he's hitting.

There were 93 games before the all star break. Well over half a season. In those 93 games, JP hit for a .291 average with a .391 OBP and a .782 OPS. That OBP was well inside the top 10 in all of baseball. If I'm not mistaken, the #1 priority for a leadoff hitter is setting the table for the rest of the lineup (aka get on base). He was doing that at an elite level while also hitting for a very good average and a well above league average OPS.

Even after an extreme slump since the break, he's still hitting for a very, very good average with RISP (.320). Miles better than Julio (.200), Cal, (.230), or Arozarena (.200). I get that people are pissed or whatever that he's been playing so poorly lately, but the non clutch accusation is simply wildly untrue. Especially compared to the guys that are the heart of our order.

Honestly, I think JP is one of those guys that a lot of M's fans just don't like very much for whatever reason. Even when he's playing really well, it seems like it largely goes unnoticed and/or unappreciated. The moment he hits a rough patch, people can't wait to pounce and just go after the guy relentlessly. I just don't get it.

Anyway, right as I'm about to click on the post button, JP leads off the bottom of the 6th with a double. Won't matter, fans will start tearing him apart again at the next available opportunity.

I like JP at leadoff, I’m not gonna pretend he wasn’t in a slip and Danny knocked him right outa that slump with a little break from the spot and now he’s relaxing again. I think we have at least three good leadoff guys including Julio and I’d like to see a little more changing it up and flexibility

 

[Sperrydogg]

Naylor is brilliant. That stolen base was just that, absolute thievery! He was 2/3s of the way there before the catcher got the ball

 

[NoGain]

Another nailbiter. LOL

 

[Bobblehead]

So that's why they use 2 hands to catch huh?

 

[SoulfishHawk]

LFG!!!!!!!!!

 

[Chapow]

Thank you Randy! Destroyed that baseball, lol.

 

[IndyHawk]

Leading off has a lot of pressure attached to it. We basically ruined Kelenic by having him lead off for what? 40 games or something and just watched him flounder. No way to treat a rookie.

JP is a vet, TBS, but it is still a big ask to lead off every day, and when you're struggling like he has been, decreasing the pressure by moving him to the back of the order for a while can help. Will he ever be moved back up? Time will tell, but when he was on for several months there he was a dynamic leadoff hitter, getting on base a lot and creating pressure on the opposing pitcher for the big bats behind him.

I disagree because could not get out of his own head at the plate
and still can't with the Braves as he's in the minors.
I don't feel bad, he was offered a long-term deal here and turned it
down. (Yay)
Everything is of his own doing and we caught a break with him>(Yay)

 

[Crizilla]

Cal and Geno 0-10, 8 strikeouts combined.
M's are better post trade deadline...just not by much.

 

[NoGain]

Leggy's awful. Why didn't we go Fergie for the 11th? Oh well...

 

[Chapow]

Considering the guys he's facing this was a pretty disastrous outing for Legumina. 2 of those hits were from a guy hitting .123 and a guy hitting .146. Can't even get gawd awful hitters out.

 

[NoGain]

Well that sucks. They did battle back twice from behind, but couldn't get it done. Had our chances. A lot of WHIFFS the last few games, another 13 today.

Got to win tomorrow to get some momentum going.

 

[Chapow]

Couple things that loom large to me in this game.

1. Bottom of the 7th, bases loaded, only 1 out, with the top of the order coming up. Randy and Cal both strike out with the bat on their shoulders (and those were not borderline pitches).

2. Legumina was awful against some very poor hitters.