Mariners: 4 takeaways from impressive road series win in Minnesota

3) Mariners’ bullpen picking up the slack

Following the series in Minnesota, the Mariners find themselves ranked 25th in the Majors, with a team ERA of 5.27. They are also ranked 24th for batting average (.252) and 27th for WHIP (1.48).

However, it is important to break this down further, to highlight the main area of concern. Based on the starters alone, Seattle is 28th in ERA (6.23), 28th for batting average (.283) and 29th for WHIP (1.66). (More on the starters in the next takeaway.)

With this in mind, it is clear the M’s relievers have been picking up the slack so far this season. The bullpen is ranked 13th in ERA (4.19), 11th for batting average (.215) and 13th for WHIP (1.27).

What the bullpen brings to the ball club was highlighted specifically during the series in Minnesota. First up, they collectively pitched four innings in the 4-3 victory on Saturday, allowing just a single hit and one earned run.

The bullpen then followed this up with an even more impressive effort in the series finale on Sunday. They again collectively pitched four innings, but this time allowed no hits or earned runs, to play a key role in the Mariner’s comeback from a six-run deficit.

As much as it is a team effort, some of the relievers deserve a specific mention. Chief among them is Kendall Graveman.

Graveman used to be a starter, but had to move to the bullpen due to a benign bone tumor in his cervical spine. So far this season his form has been outstanding for Seattle, with just one hit, two walks and no earned runs in four innings, along with five strikeouts.

Anthony Misiewicz has been similarly outstanding for the Mariners in 3.2 innings, despite giving up five hits. He has allowed no earned runs or walks, while registering two strikeouts.

Another reliever worthy of mention is Will Vest, who made his Major League debut on opening day against the Giants. He has acclimatized well so far, allowing just four hits, one earned run and three walks in 6.1 innings, notching up four strikes along the way.

There are some areas of slight concern in the bullpen, including Drew Steckenrider. It has also been frustrating to see Rafael Montero already blow two saves in four attempts, albeit neither one ultimately cost the Mariners. (He had no blown saves last year for the Texas Rangers in eight opportunities.)

Ultimately though, there’s a lot to like about a bullpen which was a weakness for the Mariners last season. It is also imperative the relievers continue to perform well, while the starting rotation attempts to find better form and consistency.

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