Expect Mariners to be in playoff race come September

One month into the MLB season has provided a portion of the data needed to generate support for a team to rise up and win the World Series.

April was the month when pitchers and batters were rushed back into play only to find nightly battles against umpires. A team can never lose the season in April, but without adjustments the month of May can free up an organization to make tee times in October. There is never a better time to assess the futures market versus the standings than the upcoming quarter pole.

Investors who peppered division tickets in February and March may look to invest in other teams to hedge wagers. The Rays present plenty of hedge support for any investor with a Yankees ticket on the board.

As for the National League, the Dodgers are boat-racing every team on the scoreboard with twice as many runs scored as runs allowed entering Saturday. The best indicator of a team that is due to break out is run differential and a number of advanced analytics.

As of this writing, there are three clubs that have losing records, but a positive run differential. Two of the teams are properly priced in the market, but one division contender deserves an immediate futures stake.

This article will take a look at those three teams. A few of these teams are priced properly in the futures market but one has value that may evaporate between now and the All-Star break.

The Cleveland Guardians, Seattle Mariners and the Philadelphia Phillies have scored more runs than they’ve allowed while posting losing records. In the case of the Phillies, the domination of the Mets and the strength of the division justify a price of +700 for the NL East. The Guardians are in a softer division, but have failed to meet expectations at the plate. Cleveland is 23rd in barrel percentage and second-to-last in walk rate. In addition to a bullpen that surrenders runs at a high clip, the Guardians are a pass from a futures perspective.

Plenty has been made about the struggles of Seattle rookie Julio Rodriguez at the plate. A lot of off-plate pitches were called as strikes, but an adjustment in batting stance with proximity to home plate ignited contact for Rodriguez. For the Mariners to win the division, the rookie remains the X-factor in providing elite hitting and defense in the race to beat the Astros and Angels.

The Mariners entered Saturday with a run differential of plus-6, scoring more than 4.2 runs per game. They were 5.5 games behind the Angels and four behind the Astros. The Mariners were swept by Houston, scoring just two runs the entire series. There is reason to believe that Seattle will start to hit, as the best bullpen in baseball continues to plow through opposing offenses.

Seattle is currently second in the league offensively in xwOBA. This advanced stat takes in on-base average, but calculates exit velocity, launch angle, batted balls and sprint speed.

Check out the best sports betting sites and apps

To capture a deserving total value of balls in play, strikeouts and walks the xwOBA is the best number to predict a breakout. A healthy offense that includes Kyle Lewis and Mitch Haniger will help Rodriguez and Jarred Kelenic hit their stride at the plate.

From a pitching perspective, this is the best bullpen in baseball. Drew Steckenrider, Diego Castillo and Paul Sewald could close for most teams, but the addition of Andres Muñoz has solidified the Seattle ’pen. The Mariners are the best overall bullpen in left on base percentage (LOB rate) with top-5 ranks in xFIP (expected fielding independent pitching and strikeout rate. Assisting the ’pen and starting staff is a defense that is second in defensive runs saved.

The Mariners have plenty of value at +450 to win the AL West. The biggest wild card for the Mariners during the pennant race is general manager Jerry Dipoto, who may elect to add to the electric bullpen or add additional offense. Dipoto is notorious for making deadline deals, and 2022 will be no different. Expect Seattle to be in the race, if not in the lead, through the month of September.