Categories
MLB

Seattle Mariners Season Predictions | 2014 Season Betting Preview

2014 MLB Team Previews – Mariners

The Mariners didn’t make a lot of moves during the offseason, but what moves they did, were huge. However, it will still remain to be seen if that single daring move will equate to a better 2014 season, after finishing with a 71-91 record just one year ago.

Sportsbook’s Odds to Win

AL West: +700
American League: +1400
World Series: +2000

Seattle finished in fourth place in the AL West in as many seasons in 2013, and will hope that the addition of top free agent second baseman Robinson Cano, who they picked up in a blockbuster deal from the Yankees (10-years, $240 million), will be enough to make up for a roster chalked with young players, most of whom have not developed as quickly as anticipated.

Probable lineup

  1. LF Dustin Ackley
  2. 3B Kyle Seager
  3. 2B Robinson Cano
  4. RF Corey Hart
  5. 1B Justin Smoak
  6. DH Logan Morrison
  7. CF Michael Saunders
  8. C Mike Zunino
  9. SS Brad Miller

The Seattle lineup boasts six left-handers and two right-handed batters, along with switch-hitting first baseman  Justin Smoak, all of which have not materialized into what the organization had anticipated at this point in their young careers, with the possible exception of  DH Logan Morrison.
[dfads params=’groups=10&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]
The 26-year-old put up a .247/.330/.468 (116 OPS+) batting line with 25 doubles and 23 home runs in 123 games in 2011, but since then has been hindered by knee surgery. However, he is now healthy and is in new company, which could be just what the former top prospect needs to get back on track.

Still, outside of Cano, there’s not a whole lot here to maximize Seattle’s run scoring chances.

In the meantime, the starting rotation has its share do problems as well,

Probable rotation

  1. Felix Hernandez
  2. Scott Baker
  3. Erasmo Ramirez
  4. James Paxton
  5. Brandon Maurer

It lacks depth and will enter the 2014 campaign, already battling the injury bug, which will keep Hisashi Iwakuma and  Taijuan Walker out of for opening day and for at least the first quarter of the season.

Beyond that, the rotation situation is sketchy at best, with Felix Hernandez being the Mariners only real quality starter. Behind him will be No. 2 Scott Baker, who has thrown a total of just 15 innings the last two seasons due to elbow problems, and No. 3 youngster Erasmo Ramirez.

With the issues the Mariners have surrounding their rotation, the bullpen is likely going to see a lot of action. But that’s probably Seattle’s strongest attribute.

CappersPicks.com’s In House capper Razor Ray’s 2014 EARLY BIRD MLB Season Package is posted! Top 5 2013 MLB Capper!

The pen includes effective closer Fernando Rodney, along with Danny Farquhar and long reliever Blake Beavan, all of whom possess power arms, while posting excellent strikeout numbers. Beaven, could also see time in the rotation if things don’t go as well as expected early on.

In conclusion, it’s going to be another disappointing season for Mariners fans.

Despite the Cano signing, Seattle failed to make anymore good off-season acquisitions to go from meager candidate to real contender for a World Series title.

The Mariners will have to contend with a tough AL West division that not only  includes the Athletics and Rangers, but also an much-improved Angels.

Another fourth place finish is what I expect, with anything higher being considered a step in the right direction.

View The MLB Cappers Leaderboard For 2013 – Picks Packages for 2014 are On Sale Today! —–>

By Matt Martz

Matt has returned to CappersPicks.com. The pull was too great. He missed providing his free picks and insider sports gambling analysis to his loyal readers. Please take it easy on him till he gets back into his groove. Cheers!