Felix Hernandez Is Still the King
By Todd Pheifer
Apr 9, 2014; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Mariners pitcher Felix Hernandez (34) in the dugout prior to the game between the Seattle Mariners and the Los Angeles Angels at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports
The Seattle Mariners are lacking in many things, but an ace is not one of them. Felix Hernandez is still the King.
If King Felix can keep rolling, and the Mariners can get Hisashi Iwakuma, Taijuan Walker and James Paxton back and healthy, this team could actually be a contender in the competitive American League West. Obviously it is very early to be hoping for such outcomes, but it is certainly a possibility with the talent in this rotation.
Hernandez is 3-0, and his starts have been impressive thus far:
Start #1: 6 IP, 3 ER, 4 H, 11 SO, 1 W
Start #2: 8.1 IP, 1 ER, 6 H, 8 SO, 1 W
Start #3: 7 IP, 2 ER, 4 H, 11 SO, 0 W
What is more impressive, the 30 strikeouts in 21.1 innings? Or, the grand total of two walks? The answer, of course, is both. It may be a little early to wonder if King Felix could challenge Randy Johnson‘s single-season record of 308 punch-outs, but Herandez is certainly off to a good start.
This, boys and girls, is what an ace looks like. When the guy at the top of your rotation start 3-0 with a 2.11 ERA, you know you have a keeper.
Obviously Felix Hernandez is going to have some struggles at some point during the season. Thankfully the offense has been giving him a bit more run support than he has historically received in the past.
For now, Felix Hernandez is still worthy of his regal baseball title. Fans hope that the King can stay on his throne and lead this little baseball kingdom to victory in 2014.