Servais knows that nothing gets second-guessed more than bullpen decisions. And nothing hits a team harder than blown leads late in games.
The Mariners suffered 24 blown saves a year ago, double the number they had in 2014, when they fell just one win shy of a Wild Card berth. The difference might have cost former Mariners skipper Lloyd McClendon his job, given the 76-86 record that led to a complete turnover in Seattle's front office and coaching staff.
New general manager Jerry Dipoto has almost entirely revamped the relief crew this offseason, but the question remains: Have the Mariners solidified their bullpen with the addition of numerous "bounceback" candidates such as Steve Cishek, Ryan Cook, Justin De Fratus, Evan Scribner and Joel Peralta -- trading away promising young right-hander Carson Smith and former closers Tom Wilhelmsen and Danny Farquhar?