The Seattle Mariners are reportedly preparing to fire manager Scott Servais. This development, which would have seemed impossible just a couple of months ago, reflects how dramatically things have unraveled for the Mariners since late June.
Back on June 18, the Mariners held a commanding 10-game lead in the American League West over the Houston Astros. Their pitching staff was performing admirably, ranking fourth in the American League in runs allowed, and their offense was doing enough to support a 44-31 record.
However, the team’s fortunes have since taken a turn, with the Mariners posting a 20-33 record over the following weeks-one of the worst in the league.
That 10-game lead has evaporated, turning into a five-game deficit. Over the past two months, the Mariners have only managed to score 207 runs, ranking them among the lowest in the league, ahead of just the struggling Chicago White Sox and Tampa Bay Rays.
Interestingly, the Mariners’ expected performance during this stretch suggests they should have been closer to a .500 record, but luck hasn’t been on their side. Their run differential indicates they should be a 66-62 team, yet they sit at 64-64, reflecting the underperformance of players like Julio Rodriguez and the rest of the offense.
The tipping point for Mariners’ management seems to have been a disastrous 1-8 road trip, including a sweep by the Los Angeles Dodgers. Yet, as is often the case, Servais’ likely dismissal has less to do with his managerial abilities and more with the shortcomings in the team’s roster construction.
The Mariners’ lineup has been less than formidable, with players such as Victor Robles, Luke Raley, Leo Rivas, Jorge Polanco, Mitch Haniger, and Dylan Moore struggling to provide consistent support for Julio Rodriguez.
The front office’s failure to build a more competitive roster has left the team vulnerable, and now Servais seems to be paying the price for those decision
