I like rooting for guys like Young who've been an times outstanding in AAA but have never gotten a sustained opportunity in the bigs to see what they can do.
The biggest hurdle this team will have if it has any shot at getting back into the conversation, which first requires getting back to .500, is starting pitching providing the bullpen some relief. 61 games into the season and the starting pitchers have failed to get more than 15 outs 57% of the games (this includes the "bulk guy" not the "opener"). They have only gotten 18 or more outs in 23% of the games. They have recorded 21 outs from a starter in just 5 of their 61 games. No starting pitcher has recorded an out in the 8th inning. The lose of Holmes massively compounds this.
In 2024 the staff was able to get 18 or more outs in 45% of the total games. In 2025 it plummeted to 27%. Only to drop to the aforementioned 23% in 2026 through games of June 1st.
Just can't see getting out of this hole and having a surviving bullpen without guys getting better outings and going deeper. You maybe can hope that McLean will course correct his recent struggles, but it is not a given. There is no reason to believe that Peralta or Scott will do it, their data says if you get 15-27 outs from them count your blessings. After that it is hoping that either Peterson or Manaea could do it and nothing about eithers last four months of baseball says that is likely.
The team is competitive and more enjoyable to watch lately. Last night's game had very little hitting on both sides. Seattle is on a run now & being shut down by their pitching staff is not too embarrassing. I'm glad Sean is doing well. The team has a bunch of pitchers that can go 3-5 innings or so. For now, it is a workable situation.
The team is thriving now with role players, good relief, rookies, and Soto. The overpriced position players they signed have a limited role, though Siemen has had some hits lately.
I like rooting for guys like Young who've been an times outstanding in AAA but have never gotten a sustained opportunity in the bigs to see what they can do.
The biggest hurdle this team will have if it has any shot at getting back into the conversation, which first requires getting back to .500, is starting pitching providing the bullpen some relief. 61 games into the season and the starting pitchers have failed to get more than 15 outs 57% of the games (this includes the "bulk guy" not the "opener"). They have only gotten 18 or more outs in 23% of the games. They have recorded 21 outs from a starter in just 5 of their 61 games. No starting pitcher has recorded an out in the 8th inning. The lose of Holmes massively compounds this.
In 2024 the staff was able to get 18 or more outs in 45% of the total games. In 2025 it plummeted to 27%. Only to drop to the aforementioned 23% in 2026 through games of June 1st.
Just can't see getting out of this hole and having a surviving bullpen without guys getting better outings and going deeper. You maybe can hope that McLean will course correct his recent struggles, but it is not a given. There is no reason to believe that Peralta or Scott will do it, their data says if you get 15-27 outs from them count your blessings. After that it is hoping that either Peterson or Manaea could do it and nothing about eithers last four months of baseball says that is likely.
The team is competitive and more enjoyable to watch lately. Last night's game had very little hitting on both sides. Seattle is on a run now & being shut down by their pitching staff is not too embarrassing. I'm glad Sean is doing well. The team has a bunch of pitchers that can go 3-5 innings or so. For now, it is a workable situation.
The team is thriving now with role players, good relief, rookies, and Soto. The overpriced position players they signed have a limited role, though Siemen has had some hits lately.