Mariners Offense Struggling to Give Pitching Proper Run Support

Winning baseball games can be done in multiple different ways. You can have an offense wear down a pitching staff, as the Colorado Rockies did to the Houston Astros to get their first sweep of the year. Or, elite pitching can defeat great hitting and if you get enough run support it’s good enough to seal the deal. Look at the Texas Rangers for example, as they rank fifth in ERA despite being 23rd in runs. One team that is on the opposite side of the Rangers spectrum is the Seattle Mariners, whose offense is struggling to give its pitching the proper run support.

Dean Rutz / The Seattle Times

The sample size is still too small to overreact and go into panic mode. However, the sample size is big enough to where you can objectively criticize the Mariners offense for getting off to a slow start to the season.

The Mariners front office has been much more aggressive in their approach to putting bats into the lineup. They swung the trade for Josh Naylor and given what he did once joining, gave him the extension to keep him part of the fold. In addition, they dipped into their deep prospect pool and swung a trade for Brendan Donovan, as the Cardinals were undergoing a fire sale and going into full rebuild mode. Donovan has been great to start his Mariners tenure, as he has been far and away their best hitter and fits like a glove. Donovan is slashing .316/.422/.605 with a 1.027 OPS. It’s the perfect approach they’ve needed and that’s not including Colt Emerson who’s knocking on the door to the big league level.

Despite the additions, this offense is struggling as a whole and they are 4-9 to start the season because of it. As a whole, this team ranks 30th in batting average, on base percentage, and slugging percentage, good for an overall slash line of .184/.280/.301. Furthermore, they are the only team in baseball with an OPS below .600 and their wRC+ (80) is only ahead of the Giants and Reds. Furthermore, they have the fourth highest strikeout rate, despite walking at an 10.2% rTe. End of the day, you can point towards the high octane bats on this roster.

Cal Raleigh was an MVP caliber bat in 2025 and put together one of the best seasons we may ever see from the catcher position. However, he is off to a slow start, hitting .143 with a .481 OPS and finally hit his first home run in the series against the Rangers. Striking out at a 38% rate isn’t ideal for Raleigh, who only struck out at a 26.2% rate all of last season. Raleigh is a legitimate power bat and thrives off hard contact. It’s very early, but his impacts are very much needed.

Another one is Julio Rodriguez, who continues to not beat the allegations of being a slow starter for the season. Rodriguez is one of the most talented and consistent players in the sport given he’s been able to put up four straight 20/20 seasons. To start 2026, he is slashing .143/.250/.143 with a .393 OPS. For comparable, here’s how he’s started every season in the first half, constantly sending everyone into panic mode.

There is always room for optimism, as Rodriguez is a great second half player and elevates his play. Speaking of Naylor, he has struggled right out the gate to start the season as well. Naylor is hitting .104 with a -18 wRC+. They are getting good production from Donovan, Cole Young, and Randy Arozarena, but the big bats need to wake up.

Fact of the matter is, is that the pitching is dominant and to nobody’s surprise. As mentioned plenty, anybody that’s part of this rotation has a chance to win the AL CY Young in any given season. Overall, the Mariners have the third best ERA in baseball (2.62) and the starting rotation has the sixth best ERA (2.92). The bullpen has been lights out as well, giving this team every chance to win a baseball game.

On any given day, any team will take the production that this pitching staff is providing. Of their nine losses, six have been by two or fewer runs and they’ve been shutout twice. There is no denying that this team has talent and the offensive firepower. It’s been slow out the gate and this pitching staff needs the proper run support. Mariners fans shouldn’t overreact, but it’s worth observing with 13 games into the season and cause for concern.