ANAHEIM, Calif. — It’s one thing to get shutdown by a former Cy Young Award winner in Dallas Keuchel. And it’s understandable for hitting struggles against Lances McCullers and his curveball of death because he did that to them last season and to other teams around baseball.
But the Mariners’ offense, or lack of it, is not a just a byproduct of facing tough starting pitching. No, they faced Charlie Morton, rookie Joe Musgrove and on Friday, the well-traveled Jesse Chavez — none of which are considered elite — over the last four games and produced minimally.
Friday’s 5-1 loss to the Angels offered another glimpse into what has been ailing this team to start the season — over-aggressive at-bats with runners in scoring position, lack of solid contact, way too many strikeouts and the three best hitters on the team providing only minimal production.