In our Sunday inside baseball page, we review the week that was, highlighting key trends with the Mariners and ranking the top teams around the league.
Stat of the Week
3.38
The Mariners pitching staff entered the weekend with the best earned-run average (3.38) in the majors, ahead of the Phillies (3.46) and Braves (3.52). The Mariners’ 64 quality starts are also most in MLB, seven more than the Phillies.
Who’s Hot
Victor Robles has reached base safely in 10 consecutive games, hitting .410 in 39 at-bats in July, the fourth-best average in the majors this month.
Who’s Not
The Mariners’ bullpen has six blown saves in July, and the club is hoping the acquisition of veteran right-hander Yimi Garcia will help stabilize the back end and take some pressure off Andres Muñoz.
Prospect Watch
Modesto Nuts (Low-A) shortstop Colt Emerson, the Mariners’ first-round pick last year, has risen to No. 14 in the latest Baseball America top 100 rankings, the highest ranking among Seattle’s prospects. After missing five weeks with a foot fracture, Emerson is hitting .306 in July with an .893 OPS and he carried a 31-game on-base streak into the weekend. Emerson turned 19 last week.
Ex-Mariner of the Week
Robbie Ray worked through some first-inning rust Wednesday against the Dodgers, then finished five no-hit innings in his debut for the San Francisco Giants, his first start coming back from Tommy John surgery. The 32-year-old lefty picked up his first win since Sept. 3, 2022, with the Mariners. “It was a lot of fun,” Ray said afterward. “It’s 16 months since the last time I’ve been on the mound in a big-league ballpark. It definitely was a long journey, but I’m definitely very thankful and excited to be back out there today.”
Power Rankings
MLB’s definitive top-10 rankings, from The Seattle Times’ Adam Jude
1. Phillies (64-39)
Phillies have been busy, swinging trades for Orioles outfielder Austin Hays and Angels closer Carlos Estevez. If there was any doubt before, there shouldn’t be now: Phillies are the World Series favorite.
2. Guardians (62-42)
Cleveland has cooled in recent weeks, and they could also use an upgrade in their lineup and in their rotation. Salary constraints, though, could be an issue ahead of Tuesday’s trade deadline.
3. Dodgers (62-43)
Dodgers reportedly still actively engaged in talks for Garrett Crochet, and no one would be happier about that trade — if it happens overnight — than the Mariners, who are scheduled to face the White Sox All-Star lefty on Sunday afternoon.
4. Orioles (59-38)
Acquisition of Rays starter Zach Eflin comes just in time for Orioles, who have lost 10 of their last 14.
5. Yankees (60-45)
Yankees traded for Miami’s Jazz Chisholm, and they’re probably not done either. Like the Mariners, Yankees continue to scour the market for relief help.
6. Brewers (59-44)
Milwaukee reportedly a favorite to land White Sox starter Erick Fedde, who allowed three runs in four innings to the Mariners on Saturday.
7. Twins (57-45)
No major trades for the Twins, but two big pieces for their lineup are back — Royce Lewis and Jose Miranda activated off IL.
8. Astros (54-49)
Houston desperately needs a new arm for its rotation, and Astros have been linked to Fedde, Cubs’ Jameson Taillon and Tigers’ Jack Flaherty.
9. Red Sox (55-47)
Familiar face returns: Boston acquires James Paxton from the Dodgers, and he’s scheduled to start against the Mariners on Tuesday at Fenway Park.
10. Braves (54-48)
Atlanta barely hanging on here … and barely hanging on, period. With their mounting injuries, Braves fielding a skeleton roster lately. Red-hot Mets probably the second-best team in the NL East right now.
Note: Records through Friday’s games