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Seattle Mariners

Mariners Noon Number: 8.077

Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Felix Hernandez throws to home as Miami Marlins’ Dee Gordon takes off from first base behind in the first inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, April 19, 2017, in Seattle. (Elaine Thompson / Associated Press)

Seattle Mariners veteran ace Felix Hernandez’ hits-per-nine-innings ratio is 8.077 over his career, ranked eighth among qualified active big league pitchers.

This season, though, it’s a different story. The big righty is giving up 12 hits per nine, an almost inconceivable jump of four hits per nine innings. In his four starts, Hernandez has allowed an American League high of 33 hits over 24 2/3 innings.

Of course, he’s also only allowed one walk, so his WHIP doesn’t look too bad at 1.378. But that number also represents a career high for Hernandez, even over last year’s disappointing numbers.

It’s an interesting approach, one that seems planned even. Hernandez is throwing more strikes and giving up much more contact but his walk rate, which he was lambasted for all last year, is unsustainably miniscule.

One thing The King has going for him: his BABiP (Batting Average on Balls in Play) is also unsustainable. Currently it’s .373 (MLB average .305), which is outrageously high. Is that a product of luck? Or has he become that hittable that everyone is making solid contact off him? His balls-in-play against ratio is also 5 percent higher this season than his career average.

But also this: this ground ball rate and grounder per fly ball rates are up, and his line drive rate is down, both of which are good.

Detroit comes in limping with a ton of injuries, but it’s still a formidable lineup. Watch the contact against Hernandez today and decide for yourself. Is he pitching in bad luck, or serving up meatballs?

Either way, this is a brand new Felix Hernandez.