What the Mariners have to do

The Mariners in the past six games have shown us that they are not a playoff contender yet. This road trip so far has shown us positives and negatives. I'll start off of course with the positives. The Mariners have shown us that they can hit homeruns and long ones. Raul Ibanez has put up 5 homeruns on this road trip along with raising his batting average by 32 points along. Brendan Ryan's bat has come alive on this road trip and he looks like he's finally found his rhythm as he has raised his batting average by 51 points. Mike Morse's bat has also come alive as he has had four multi hit games and showing Mariners fans that he does not want to be the next Richie Sexson, he's also cut down on his strikeouts as he's only struck out 3 times in 19 at bats. Justin Smoak has also been tearing the cover off the ball on this road trip as he has ripped 6 hits on this road trip and raised his average up to .254.

Ok, now let's get to the negatives. The biggest negative on this road trip has been the Mariners ability to hit with runners in scoring position, as they have gone 9 for 51 with runners in scoring position, which is a .176 if you do the math. That's not what a playoff team does, maybe on an off week but when it comes to playing for the Wild Card or any shot at the playoffs you have to hit with runners in scoring position. The Mariners need to improve on that category along with trying figure out what they are going to do with Jesus Montero and Dustin Ackley. For some reason with these two whenever one gets hot they then have a streak of games or weeks where they are ice cold and cant come up in a clutch situation. 

The Mariners also have a catcher situation, yes we have Kelly Shoppach and Jesus Montero but here's the thing none of them cant throw anyone out or block pitches. One more thing the Mariners have to improve on is there consistent pitchers in the 3-4-5 hole. Brandon Maurer is inconsistent and has control problems, Joe Saunders is horrible on the road, and Aaron Harang........well you know what Harang is. Now the Mariners could make a move to send Maurer down and call up the experienced Jeremy Bonderman in his place, that would at least solve one pitching problem.

If the Mariners would like to get back up to .500 or finish above, make a run to the playoffs, or have a shot at the Wild Card they have to improve on everything I have just wrote. They have to learn to hit with runners in scoring position......PERIOD! They have inconsistent pitchers that they have to fix, maybe look at free agent pitchers if they have to, their catchers need to improve on their throwing ability especially Montero, and their players have to become more consistent. If the Mariners improve on these things then I see them getting up and or above .500 and possibly making run to the playoffs.