Mariners: 3 takeaways from series loss versus Chicago White Sox

2) Offense relying on veterans:

The Mariners’ offensive struggles last season were highlighted by ranking last in batting average, 28th in OBP and 26th in slugging percentage. This season has seen a gradual improvement through seven games, ranking 28th, 23rd and 24th respectively in these categories.

Leading the way on offense is Crawford, who had a career-year last season. Appearing to be galvanized after signing a five-year contract extension last week, he has so far been even better in 2022.

Following the White Sox series, Crawford is leading the Mariners with 10 hits, a .417 batting average and .500 OBP. In terms of the Majors overall, his 10 hits are two off the league lead, while his batting average ranks eighth and his OBP is tied for ninth-best.

Another constant on offense is Ty France, who last year led the Mariners in batting average and OBP, while ranking second for hits and slugging percentage among regulars. If there is someone who can get on base by any means possible, it’s him.

In this respect, France has forced four walks and been hit by two pitches. (In the latter category, he was hit a career-high 27 times last season.) In addition, he is second on the team with six hits and four RBI, while also being tied first with three runs scored.

The other veteran presence deserving of praise is Mitch Haniger, who was one of just six Major League players to hit at least 39 home runs and 100 RBI during last season. Not much has changed in 2022.

So far through seven games, Haniger leads the Mariners with three homers and seven RBI. The former category is particularly noteworthy, as he is now tied 15th all-time in franchise history on 99 home runs with a certain Ichiro Suzuki.

In respect of Seattle’s young talent, Julio Rodriguez and Jarred Kelenic were expected to provide a boost for the offense. Unfortunately for the Mariners, both have struggled so far this year.

Rodriguez has especially struggled, highlighted by just two hits and a .095 batting average through six games. For what it’s worth though he did get that second hit in the White Sox series finale, providing something to build on back home in Seattle.

Turning to Kelenic, he similarly only had one hit prior to Thursday’s series finale in Chicago. And again similar to Rodriguez he would also finally get his second hit, albeit it was more spectacular and impactful.

Kelenic’s moment came in the top of the second, with a two-run blast which provided all the offense the Mariners would ultimately need. With an exit velocity of 114 mph, it is the hardest hit home run by a lefty so far this season.

The offense figures to be better this season compared to last year; in truth, it would be hard for them to be as bad as in 2021. And yet it should be noted their averages of 3.0 runs and 6.4 hits per game are behind last year’s respective averages of 4.3 (22nd in the Majors) and 7.5 (30th).

In this respect, we essentially know what to expect from the Mariners’ veteran core. However — fair or not — Rodriguez and Kelenic will be key to how much better the offense is in the coming months.

NEXT: A REVERSAL OF FORTUNE