Inside an Elite Starting Rotation: Gilbert, Rookies and Castillo Powering Mariners Atop AL West
Sportsgrid Staff
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Starting Staff Should Only Get Better
The Mariners' starting rotation is a formidable force, with each pitcher contributing to the team's success. George Kirby, despite being the least consistent starter, is expected to return to form soon. Seattle's rotation presents a tough matchup for any opponent, making it crucial for the team to secure a postseason spot. Their dominant starting pitching is the backbone of their success, keeping them at the top of the AL West.
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Luis Castillo's Resilience
Luis Castillo began the season with three rough outings, giving up four earned runs in each. Since then, he has bounced back with a 2.01 ERA and has held opponents to a batting average below .200. Known for his elite changeup, Castillo has evolved, making his four-seam fastball a dominant pitch. He hasn't allowed more than two earned runs in any outing since his third start, continuing to be a reliable ace for the team.
Logan Gilbert's Dominance
Logan Gilbert has made impressive strides in his fourth season. He started the year strong with a 2.03 ERA over his first six starts, positioning himself as a Cy Young contender. Despite a tough outing in May, he maintains a 3.12 ERA.
Gilbert's improved performance is due to a significant reduction in hard-hit balls and an increase in swings and misses. His HardHit% has improved from the 11th percentile to the 63rd, and his Whiff% has risen from the 52nd to the 70th percentile. Gilbert has also added a cutter to his repertoire, which he now uses frequently. His slider continues to be his most effective pitch, with opponents hitting just .207 against it.
By minimizing bad starts and keeping his HardHit% down, Gilbert has a strong chance of finishing in the top five for Cy Young voting.
Logan Gilbert AL CY Young odds at FanDuel: +2500 (9th-shortest)
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Miller Time
Bryce Miller took inspiration from fellow pitchers George Kirby and Logan Gilbert, adding a splitter to his arsenal over the winter. This addition has been effective, as opponents are slugging just .219 against it with a Run-Value of four in the first two months. Against left-handed hitters, Miller has held them to a .637 OPS, while Woo has been even more dominant with a .422 OPS.
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Pitching Woo
Bryan Woo, known for his strong fastballs, has increased his changeup usage to 9.3%, up from 3.7% last year. This changeup has limited hitters to a .077 batting average.
Starting Staff Should Only Get Better
The Mariners' starting rotation is a formidable force, with each pitcher contributing to the team's success. George Kirby, despite being the least consistent starter, is expected to return to form soon. Seattle's rotation presents a tough matchup for any opponent, making it crucial for the team to secure a postseason spot. Their dominant starting pitching is the backbone of their success, keeping them at the top of the AL West.
For all your MLB deep dives check out our friends at Just Baseball.
Luis Castillo's Resilience
Luis Castillo began the season with three rough outings, giving up four earned runs in each. Since then, he has bounced back with a 2.01 ERA and has held opponents to a batting average below .200. Known for his elite changeup, Castillo has evolved, making his four-seam fastball a dominant pitch. He hasn't allowed more than two earned runs in any outing since his third start, continuing to be a reliable ace for the team.
