Mariners vs. Rangers Preview: A Crucial Series for Kyle Seager
By Todd Pheifer
Apr 18, 2014; Miami, FL, USA; Seattle Mariners third baseman Kyle Seager (R) singles to teammate center fielder Dustin Ackley (L) after Ackley scores an inside the park home run on an error by Miami Marlins right fielder Giancarlo Stanton (not pictured) during the second inning at Marlins Ballpark. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Kyle Seager needed those home runs.
The Seattle Mariners may still be worried about their third baseman, and for good reason. However, the two home runs against the Houston Astros were a good sign for a player that has been in a dreadful slump all season.
One game does not a turnaround make, but this is still a very positive line:
2-for-3, 2 HR, 5 RBI
Those were Seager’s stats in the final game of the Astros series, and if the Mariners as a team are going to turn things around, they will need a few more of those performances. Granted, this was one good game and Seager has not had many this season. Seager only has three multi-hit performances in 20 games this season.
Even with that performance, Seager’s slash line still looks like this:
.179/.304/.328
In other words, poor. Seager was expected to provide a reasonable amount of protection for Robinson Cano, but that has not happened in 2014. The .179 average is actually the highest of the season, and while an upward trend is good, Seager is still far from where he should be.
This will be a crucial series for Seager against the Texas Rangers. It will be crucial because hitting is often about confidence, and confidence must be sustained over a period of time. The game-winning home run may have given Seager a boost, but that could quickly evaporate if he goes 0-for-4 in the first game of the series and only manages a couple of hits over the weekend.
Stay the course, Mr. Seager. We’re all rooting for you.