Mariners show again they have starting rotation to match up against anybody

HOUSTON — A little past the halfway mark of a 162-game season, the Mariners’ starting rotation stacks up with any in Major League Baseball. The numbers back it up.

Coming into Sunday’s game against the Astros, Mariners pitchers ranked first in the major leagues in strikeout-to-walk ratio (3.42), first in fewest walks per nine innings (2.60), second in WHIP (1.18), second in FIP (3.72) and third in fWAR (12.5).

“I love our rotation,” Mariners manager Scott Servais said. “It’s the reason that we are doing what we’re doing. We’re a .500 club. The struggle has been on the offensive side. Our pitching has given us a chance to win almost every night. Those guys have been great.”

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Mariners starters are tied for the MLB lead in quality starts (46) with Minnesota.

“The production we’ve gotten out of our young starters, I don’t think they’ve gotten enough national attention,” Servais said. “They’ve been really good. Bryce Miller, Bryan Woo, George Kirby, Logan Gilbert, you go down the list.”

All-Star Kirby leads the big leagues in strikeout-to-walk ratio (8.90) and fewest walks per nine innings (0.8). His 14 quality starts are tied for the most in the majors.

Veteran Luis Castillo, another 2023 All-Star who has gone at least six innings in all 18 starts, is the stabilizer.

Servais feels the staff has not garnered much acclaim because of Seattle’s geographical location.

“Part of it is we’re in the Pacific Northwest, which is a long way from the East Coast,” Servais said.

Tough as nails

Jose Caballero is one tough player.

After ripping a fingernail following a successful steal of second base in the third inning Saturday, the Mariners second baseman did not seem fazed by the injury. He followed with a steal of third.

“Normally when you go out and see players like that with an injury, especially their hand, their hands are shaking because of the adrenaline rush,” Servais said. “This guy is like, ‘What the heck.’ It’s crazy how calm he was. (Head athletic trainer Kyle Torgerson) was shaking more than (Caballero) was, trying to get the Band-Aid on him.”

Caballero injured himself while stepping on his hand after securing the bag at second. Caballero stayed in the game and slapped a tying RBI single the next inning against. He went 2 for 4 with a run and is 15 of 17 in stolen-base attempts this season.

“Cabby’s done a really nice job,” Servais said. “No fear at all on the bases. It’s pretty cool how he helped produce that run (Saturday night).”

Servais said Caballero is OK, but the infielder was given a day off Sunday.

Mariners, Crawford on tear

At the end of June, the Mariners had lost three straight games and five of six. Hello July, a month the Mariners are 7-2 in entering the All-Star break.

Sunday’s 3-1 road win against the Astros was the Mariners’ third of the four-game series.

“It’s definitely good to finish the first half rolling,” said shortstop J.P. Crawford, who went 1 for 4, extending his hitting streak to 10 games. “Now we get these couple days to check out and regroup and finish strong. We ended the first half on a positive note and hopefully we can keep it going when we get back.

“We’re playing more comfortably, not so much pressure-playing. It’s real fun to play baseball like this.”

The Mariners start the second half on Friday against Detroit, beginning a 10-game homestand.

Crawford’s hitting streak is the longest active in the major leagues. Throughout the streak he is hitting .359 (14 for 39) with two home runs, five RBI and a 1.062 OPS. The longest hitting streak of his career is 12 games, from June 13-26 in 2021.