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Despite dropping back-to-back series against the Texas Rangers and Washington Nationals last week, the Seattle Mariners have managed to remain just half a game back in the race for the second American League Wild Card. The Mariners have been able to challenge for the postseason by overcoming a poor offense with an outstanding pitching staff. Many of the same issues that have plagued the Mariners all season long are continuing to do so in September. Seattle is currently chasing the Detroit Tigers, a team with far more talent than its record would indicate. If the Mariners are to make the playoffs, they <a href=http://www.avanttravel.com/page.php?sale=Tory-Burch-Tunic-Sale>Tory Burch Tunic Sale</a> will need to fix at least a few of these issues. 鈥?health Saunders has not played since July 10 after straining his left oblique on a checked swing. Early September was the original target date for Saunders to return, but he was recalled from a rehab assignment last week due to a viral infection. The Mariners need Saunders back in the lineup sooner rather than later. Before the injury, Saunders owned a 114 wRC+, third-best on the team behind and . Unfortunately, Saunders has lost weight while battling the infection and reported to the Arizona League on Monday to try and regain his strength. It could be another couple of weeks before Saunders is ready to return, meaning the Mariners will have to continue to replace his production elsewhere. Production from right field and designated hitter With Saunders out, right field has been one of the major weaknesses in Seattle鈥檚 lineup. has given starts to , , and in right, but none of them are going to be able to produce as much as Saunders. Denorfia was a solid <a href=http://www.radiorcs.com/page.php?sale=Green-Kate-Spade-Handbag>Kate Spade Handbags Outlet</a> pickup at the trade deadline as a fourth outfielder, as he can provide value defensively and on the bases. However, his offense is not enough to justify an everyday starting job, as he has posted just a .487 OPS since the trade deadline. Chavez is also more suited to be a fourth outfielder or platoon guy and Romero has been below replacement level. Nobody is going to fully replace Saunders, but the Mariners need some production from right. The other position Seattle would like to see more out of is DH. has improved from a lethargic start by posting a 100 wRC+ in August, but he needs to be better than league-average in September. If Morales matches his 117 wRC+ of a season ago down the stretch, the Mariners will be in good shape. 鈥檚 declining numbers General manager Jack Zduriencik swung a brilliant trade at the deadline by bringing in a successful major league outfielder in Jackson at the cost of , who was buried in Triple-A. 聽 It hasn鈥檛 worked out quite as well as the Mariners have hoped, as Jackson has just a .599 OPS since the deal. Jackson鈥檚 power has declined the most, as he only has five extra-base hits over the past month plus. The Mariners have been able to mask Jackson鈥檚 slump thanks to the red-hot and a nice month from Morrison, but they need him to do a better job at the top of the order moving forward. 鈥檚 last start Young had the worst start of his career on Monday, giving up five runs to the Oakland Athletics in just two-thirds on an inning. While that start is by no means indicative of what Young will provide over the rest of the season, there is some concern as his innings begin to pile up. It seems as though Young will have to regress at some point due to his low strikeout rate and extreme fly ball tendencies. 聽Young has outperformed his peripherals routinely throughout his career, but nobody could have expected him to post a 3.46 ERA in 2014. Young is going to perform worse on the <a href=http://www.avanttravel.com/page.php?sale=Tory-Burch-Discount-Flats>Tory Burch Discount Flats</a> road than in Safeco Field, but if he struggles that badly again Sunday in Texas it might be time to get concerned.聽 鈥檚 power slump It鈥檚 pretty easy to analyze what Zunino brings to the table at this point in his career. Zunino isn鈥檛 going to have a high average or on-base percentage, but his tremendous power and excellent defense make him a valuable player anyway. Lately, the power hasn鈥檛 been there. Zunino hit two home runs and slugged .270 in August, the lowest marks for any month this season. With how often Zunino strikes out, he becomes a liability at the plate if he鈥檚 not hitting for power. The Mariners need the home run boost further down in the order, rather than just relying on Cano and Seager to provide it all.聽 Photo Credit: Elaine Thompson / Associated Press The following two tabs change content below.
