How the Mariners did at the All-Star Game

By Kshell

For the first time since the 2003 all-star game the Seattle Mariners had three guys make the team. The Mariners saw Felix Hernandez picked to his second career all-star team and closer Brandon League picked for the first time. Due to some pitchers not being able to pitch such as Hernandez that opened up some spots for Michael Pineda to make the team. In this following post I'll tell you how the three Mariners did while talking about what they did during the first half of the season. In the game the National League did win 5-1 as Prince Fielder who is a free agent had a three run home run off C.J. Wilson. The National League will have home field advantage for the second straight season in the World Series.

Felix Hernandez:

Felix Hernandez pitched on Sunday so he wasn't eligible to pitch in the all-star game. Hernandez is having a solid season as he is 8-7 on the season with an ERA of 3.19 in 144 innings pitched. Hernandez has struck out 140 batters with a WHIP of 1.15 while opponents are hitting just .228 on the season. Hernandez has been pitching deep into games averaging just under 7 1/3 innings a start. Look for the Seattle Mariners to lighten King Felix's work load this second half. Hernandez for those who don't know is having his best season amongst the sabermetrics crowd. He is posting his lowest xFIP of his career so far which is 3.04. His K's per 9 is also the highest of his career at 8.75. For those who question his spot on the all-star team please thank again. He has had some bad luck this season but is pitching like the ace that he is.

Michael Pineda:

Michael Pineda this year had a great outing in the all-star game. Pineda pitched a perfect third inning. He got Troy Tulowitzki to fly out then he struck out Scott Rolen and Richie Weeks. Pineda the youngest all-star on the roster wasn't afraid of the moment or the hitters he was facing. Pineda who is having a great rookie season as he is the favorite to win Rookie of the Year. Pineda on the year is 8-6 with a 3.03 ERA in 113 innings pitched. He has struck out 113 batters with a WHIP of 1.04 while opponents are hitting just .198 off of him. Pineda who has never thrown more than 140 innings in a season will probably be rested down the stretch. Pineda has been terrific for the Mariners and it was nice to see him shine on the games biggest stage.

Brandon League:

When Brandon League was selected to the all-star game it was a bit of a surprise. Shows how mentally tough League is to survive a rough stretch in May to pitch so well. In the all-star game League went one inning, allowed two hits and one run while striking out Sterlin Casto. League for the season is 1-4 with 23 saves in 27 opportunities. League has posted an 3.44 ERA and 1.09 WHIP in 36.2 innings while striking out 25. He is holding his opponents to a .241 batting average against him. League was supposed to be a set up man this year but due to injuries he is the closer. League has done a very good job for the Mariners as the closer. Now depending on what teams offer the Mariners League could or could not be in a Mariners uniform on August 1st. The Mariners did get more out of League than anyone could have expected this season.

In conclusion, it was nice seeing three Seattle Mariners at the all-star game and all three were very deserving. It was nice to see Hernandez get selected since he was so badly snubbed last year and is still one of the games best pitchers. It was nice to see the rookie Pineda get added to the team and then pitch so well in his all-star game debut. Then it was nice to see League make the team and allow he gave up a run didn't pitch bad at all. The Mariners sent three pitchers to the all-star game for the first time since 2001 when Freddy Garcia, Jeff Nelson and Kaz Sasaki made the team. The pitching future is bright for the Mariners and possibly the teams future can be even brighter if they sign All-Star game MVP Prince Fielder. The Mariners were well represented in this midsummer classic which was nice to see. Hopefully someday the Mariners can finally be represented in the fall classic.

Two Seattle Mariners picked for the all-star game; no Ichiro first time of career

By Kshell

The Seattle Mariners for the first time since 2003 will be sending two pitchers to the All-Star game. The Mariners for the first time since 1983(LHP Matt Young) will have no hitters in the all-star game. The Mariners will be sending 2010 Cy Young award winning pitcher Felix Hernandez and closer Brandon League to Phoenix, Arizona for the all-star game. For Mariners fans at the start of the year Hernandez making the all-star team comes to no surprise but for League this is a huge surprise. Then after League blew up one week and was in danger of losing his job it was a huge surprise. League since that blow up has converted 13 consecutive saves and has exceeded expectations so far. The Mariners could be adding some more all-stars due to injuries and pitchers pitching on sunday not being eligible. When those players are selected I'll talk about them. For now the Mariners will be sending two pitchers to the game which is fitting since the pitching has been carrying them all season long.

The Mariners will be sending two pitchers to the all-star game including staff ace Felix Hernandez. Hernandez isn't having a typical Hernandez season but he is still pitching pretty well. Hernandez despite winning the Cy Young last year was snubbed from the game so maybe this was a make up call. Hernandez on the year is 8-7 with a 3.35 ERA and 1.19 WHIP. He has 124 strikeouts in 129 innings so far. Hernandez is currently fourth in innings pitched and third in strikeouts. Hernandez has been a horse for the Mariners this season averaging over seven innings a start for the Mariners. Hernandez has had an up and down first half but is still one of the games best pitchers. I don't mind Hernandez being selected to the all-star game he's paid his dues and sadly in baseball that matters quite a bit. Hernandez made it over pitchers more deserving but same thing happened to him last year so this was a make up call.

The other all-star selection for the Mariners is closer Brandon League. For Jack Zduriencik he has to feel vindicated by League making the all-star team as he was criticized for trading former top five draft pick Brandon Morrow for League. League last year had an average year and many sports personalities loved to rag on him. Although League in the second half didn't pitch that bad. With League making the all-star game despite his one poor week shows how much confidence he has in himself to bounce back. On the year League has 22 saves in 25 opportunities(88.0%) with an ERA of 3.38 and a WHIP of 1.04. He has thrown 34.2 innings with 23 strikeouts on the season. League is anchoring a bullpen that is a big reason why the Mariners are contending for the playoffs. The Mariners play so many close games that the pitching of the bullpen has been critical to the teams success. League is a reason why you shouldn't judge a trade until a few years down the road.

In conclusion, today was a bittersweet day for me. I was happy to see Hernandez and League make the all-star team. I was sad to see Ichiro's 10 consecutive all-star game streak snapped. Ichiro doesn't deserve it but still sad to see such a great streak end. I was also disappointed to see Michael Pineda and David Pauley not make the team. In my opinion those two of Pineda and Pauley are more deserving than Hernandez and League. Hernandez pitches the Sunday before the all-star game so he won't be eligible to pitch in the all-star game so hopefully Pineda takes his spot. It was good to see the Mariners have two pitchers make it as they have carried the Mariners all season long. The all-star game in Arizona should be fun and hopefully the Mariners will be adding another arm to the team. At the end of the day though I'm glad the Mariners will be having two all-stars in uniform at the all-star game this year.