Inside The Mariners

Brady's Spin: It's Simple, But the Seattle Mariners Have to Get Back to Offensive Approach

The Mariners are reeling, and the offense and bullpen are both culpable. If they are out to get out of the offensive funk, they have to go back to the basic principles they had in April.
Seattle Mariners left fielder Randy Arozarena (56) reacts after striking out during the eighth inning against the Houston Astros at Daikin Park on May 24.
Seattle Mariners left fielder Randy Arozarena (56) reacts after striking out during the eighth inning against the Houston Astros at Daikin Park on May 24. | Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

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After being swept by the Baltimore Orioles and going 3-6 on a nine-game homestand, the Seattle Mariners are reeling. The bullpen certainly had its moments over this homestand, blowing three straight games to the Twins and also blowing one against the Orioles, but the offense has been a driving concern for a month now.

Consider these numbers from Mike Vorel of the Seattle Times, which were published prior to Thursday's 4-3 loss.

The Mariners' first 30 games
R: 138 (5th)
BB%: 11.3% (1st)
OBP: .345 (1st)
SLG: .427 (6th)
OPS: .773 (5th)

The Mariners' last 30 games
R: 114 (T-21st)
BB%: 7.7% (T-21st)
OBP: .298 (T-27th)
SLG: .370 (22nd)
OPS: .667 (25th)

And if the Mariners are going to get out of this funk offensively, they are going to have to get back to basics, as was discussed on the most recent edition of the Refuse to Lose podcast:

This ​group ​has ​to ​get ​back ​to ​basics, ​okay? ​They're ​not ​good ​enough, actually most ​teams ​are ​not ​good ​enough ​to ​just ​go ​up ​there ​and ​flail. ​​What ​are ​you ​going ​to ​do? ​The ​following ​has ​to ​happen ​and ​it's ​going ​to ​sound ​simple, ​and ​that's ​because ​it ​is. ​And ​Edgar's ​message ​is ​simple. ​You're ​going ​to ​have ​to ​put ​yourself ​in ​a ​good ​hitters ​situation, ​okay? ​And ​if ​that ​is, ​the ​guy ​throws ​you ​a ​breaking ​ball on ​the ​first ​pitch ​that's ​four ​feet ​off ​the ​plate, ​you're ​gonna ​have ​to ​take ​it. ​And ​if ​it's ​1-0, ​then ​you've ​worked ​yourself ​into ​a ​position ​where ​that ​guy's ​got ​to ​throw ​you ​a ​strike. ​And ​a ​strike ​is ​something ​you ​can ​and ​should ​do ​damage ​to ​on ​1-0. ​And ​if ​he ​doesn't ​come ​to ​you ​on ​1-0, ​then ​you're ​even ​in ​an ​even ​better ​spot ​on ​2-0. ​ ​But ​the ​Mariners ​are ​getting ​themselves ​out ​lately.

It's good to be aggressive, but it's not good to get yourself out. And whether it's Jorge Polanco's inability to lay off changeups down and away, or Julio Rodriguez's sudden propensity again for swinging at fastballs on his hands, or Randy Arozarena swinging at sliders way off the plate, the team has to get back to the basics.

The Mariners are 32-29.

You can listen to the full podcast episode below:

Related Stories on Seattle Mariners

NEW PODCAST IS OUT Part 1: After a poor series sweep against the Baltimore Orioles, we just couldn't wait. Brady had to go live on Thursday to talk about the M's change in offensive approach and the little things that have added up over the last week. He lets off some steam heading into the weekend. CLICK HERE:

NEW PODCAST IS OUT Part 2: Brady is back on Friday for a regularly scheduled episode in which he talks with former Mariners catcher Scott Bradley about the 35th anniversary of catching Randy Johnson's no-hitter in 1990, being part of the early M's teams, his memories of Ken Griffey Jr. and much more. CLICK HERE:

WORKING BACK: Luke Raley, out with an oblique issue, is working back and looks ready to start a rehab assignment. CLICK HERE:

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