Mariners 2018 Season Preview
Ready to check out our 2018 Seattle Mariners predictions? The Seattle Mariners are gearing up for another go at trying to make the playoffs and they hope this is the year that they finally will get over that hump.
MLB Mariners Predictions & Handicapping Insight
The Mariners made an outside run towards a playoff spot last season but fell off late. They will have a tall task again this season as the American League is loaded with playoff contenders and they also sit in the division of the reigning World Series champs.
2018 MLB Team Previews – Seattle Mariners
- American Leage West +700
- American League +2000
- World Series +4000
Key Additions:
- Dee Gordon
- Ryon Healy
- Juan Nicasio
Dee Gordon will be transitioning out to center field which could be adventurous at times but nevertheless, Gordon hits for great average and will make a run at the MLB’s stolen base title. He should provide a great spark at the top of the order combined with Jean Segura.
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Healy adds some depth at first base and hit for power last season. He may not be ready to start the season but could provide a nice right handed bat off the bench.
Nicasio will provide a solid arm at the back end of the bullpen setting up Edwin Diaz. He could end up providing help as a closer if Diaz stumbles or gets injured.
Key Losses:
- Yonder Alonso
- Jarrod Dyson
Alonso was acquired midseason from the Athletics so isn’t too much of a loss from last season’s overall production. Dyson provided speed and depth in the outfield but that spot will be replaced by Gordon so there should actually be an improvement there.
Mariners Predictions: Projected Lineup:
- CF Dee Gordon
- SS Jean Segura
- 2B Robinson Cano
- DH Nelson Cruz
- 3B Kyle Seager
- RF Mitch Haniger
- C Mike Zunino
- 1B Daniel Vogelbach
- LF Ichiro Suzuki
The lineup when it is healthy is very dangerous but there are a handful of players that carry some injury risk. Cano and Cruz are both older than 35 and Ichiro, of course, is 44.
They do have some depth on the bench but if Cano or Cruz goes down or struggles, the fear is taken out of the heart of this lineup and the Mariners quickly become a lineup filled with on base guys but little power.
Mariners Predictions: Projected Rotation:
- RH Felix Hernandez
- LH James Paxton
- RH Mike Leake
- LH Marco Gonzales
- RH Erasmo Ramirez
The Mariners are one of several teams flirting with the non-traditional rotation to start the season and they are on the side of potentially using a four-man group.
This at least could be until Ramirez recovers from a lat injury. Paxton has Cy Young type stuff and is their de facto ace. Hernandez is only a shell of his former self and the expectations for him have been downgraded significantly.
Leake and Gonzales came over from St. Louis last season and both can be very solid middle of the rotation starters if healthy. Ramirez also has great stuff but is already battling an injury that can linger for starting pitchers.
Mariners Predictions: Projected Closer:
- RH Edwin Diaz
The 24 year old has been very dominant at times but also run into some slumps like lots of other young relievers.
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He appears to not be bothered by the pressure of the role as closer. He is backed up by a string of underrated relievers that could prove to be one of the better pens in the American League.
Nicasio provides depth at closer if Diaz falters and James Pazos and Marc Rzepczynski have experience as left-handed specialists out of the pen.
2018 Seattle Mariners Prediction:
The Mariners did make some moves to improve during the offseason – most significantly trading for Gordon. In a division with the reigning World Series champs as well as the Angels who made a series of big offseason moves, the Mariners are going to have a very tough time competing for a playoff spot.
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The best case scenario is Cano, Cruz, and Hernandez all stay healthy and have great seasons but even that will likely leave the Mariners on the outside looking in.
A strong start to the season could bring Seattle into the mix for some midseason acquisitions and that would make things interesting. I expect Seattle to be just above .500 but miss out on the postseason.
What do you think of our 2018 Seattle Mariners predictions? Comments are welcome below.
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