Seattle Mariners Lead AL West Despite Multiple Rotation Injuries

The Seattle Mariners have maintained their lead in the AL West despite significant injuries to key starting pitchers like Bryce Miller, George Kirby, and Logan Gilbert, relying on emerging talents such as Bryan Woo and rookie Logan Evans to fill the gaps effectively. Their pitching staff recently dominated the San Diego Padres with a 1.00 ERA over three games, showcasing aggressive pitching that limited walks and strikeouts, a strategy praised by their pitching coach. Matt Brash has also made a promising return from elbow surgery, contributing in relief appearances. Offensively, the Mariners have several key players performing well, including Jorge Polanco, Cal Raleigh, and J.P. Crawford, who returned to the lineup after a shoulder injury, boosting the team's prospects. Upcoming, the Mariners are set to face the Chicago White Sox in a three-game series, with Luis Castillo starting for Seattle and Davis Martin for Chicago, where the Mariners are favored based on recent performance trends. Despite the adversity, the Mariners are ranked ninth in MLB power rankings and remain a strong contender for the AL West title as they continue their season.