Astros should thank dismal Mariners offense for renewed AL West race
The Houston Astros aren’t any sort of American League juggernaut as they eye another division crown in 2024, but entering Thursday, Joe Espada’s club once again has a rather direct path to the AL West title. A weak lineup in Seattle is at least partly to thank.
We won’t totally act like the AL West crown is completely sewn up as of late July. But given the current offensive output from the Mariners, it’s hard to envision a sustained run of success for Seattle across the summer. Think we’re seeing things though orange-colored glasses? Consider the following: the Mariners sit last among all 30 teams in batting average and total strikeouts entering Thursday. Just two teams sport a worse collective OPS. This week’s series in Los Angeles marked perhaps the nadir of Seattle’s season offensively, a three-game set against the Angels in which the Mariners scored just one run in each contest.
Seattle’s collection of arms is among baseball’s best. No rotation is as deep. The collection of quality starts continues to be wasted, with the AL West lead now once again belonging to Houston.
The Astros surpassed Seattle in recent days. Their best competition for the AL West title might be their intrastate neighbor.
The Texas Rangers are rounding into form in July, rebounding from an ugly start that placed baseball’s defending champions nine games under .500 on July 4. The talent in the Metroplex is beginning to shine after a sleepy spring and early summer. Texas is 10-4 in its last 14 games and three games back of the AL West lead entering Thursday. Shortstop Corey Seager remains an elite lefty bat flanked by a deep collection of power hitters, and veteran arms Nathan Eovaldi and Max Scherzer are still effective despite their (relatively) advance age.
Texas, like Houston and Seattle, won’t be a World Series favorite if it qualifies for the postseason. Yet considering the Rangers potent lineup, perhaps we shouldn’t count out Seager and Co. come October.
This wasn’t meant to be some stab at the Mariners, nor their semi-suffering fans. But, as we approach the end of July, it’s worthwhile for all parties to take something of a sober assessment regarding the AL West race. The Mariners relinquished the division lead thanks to their hapless offense. A pre-trade deadline deal is needed, or else the division crown will once again stay in the Lone Star State.
