M’s fall short against the class of the West

MARINERS

Earlier this week I pointed out how important this series with the Angels was. And not just because Felix Hernandez was returning to the mound.

If the M’s want to win the American League West title this season, they will have to stop the Angels. Simple as that. Los Angeles/Anaheim is the class of the division, with the best pitching and the best hitter. To win the division, Seattle has to play well against the Angels.

So far, not so much.

After losing 7-3 Thursday night, the M’s are 1-5 against the Angels. Seattle heads into the first interleague series (tonight vs. the Padres, 7:05; FSN; 920-AM) of the season three games back in the West.

Thirty-six games into the season (LA/Anaheim has already played 42) we are starting to get a handle on the M’s. When they play their best (pitching, hitting, fielding) they can play with anyone. But if any of those three pillars start to crumble, look out. They aren’t strong enough in any one category to consistently overcome failures in another.

Today’s hot list in “anticipation” of interleague play …

• The lack of a clutch hit. The importance of the series. Richie Sexson’s anemic bat (see yesterday’s post). That’s the thrust of the game stories from Thursday night. Here they are, from the P-I, the Times, News Tribune and the Herald. From Los Angeles, here are the stories from the Orange County Register the LA Times.

• I’m not the only one who is not too excited about interleague play. The Times’ Larry Stone and the News Tribune’s John McGrath aren’t huge fans either. “Rivalries” like the M’s and the Padres get the brunt of McGrath’s disdain in his column, while Stone tells us the players and coaches aren’t too excited either in his. Even the Angels, who play the Dodgers.

• The life of a designated hitter is different. Jose Vidro is learning that. And he’s trying to adjust.

• The player’s association has filed a grievance on behalf of Julio Mateo.

• Ichiro’s ability to get hits on pitches others can’t even touch comes up again in this story.

• And our question of the day …

• You get to pick. The M’s will play six interleague series against five teams (they have their “rival” San Diego twice. You are the schedule maker. Which six National League teams would you have them play and why? Click on the full entry link for my picks.