Seattle Mariners: Just get Marco Gonzales three runs

If the Seattle Mariners can get Marco Gonzales three runs of support per outing, he can take care of the rest.

Since being acquired from the Cardinals, Marco Gonzales has been one of the Seattle Mariners’ best pitchers. He may not be a top of the rotation ace, but he has displayed the ability to be a solid middle of the rotation arm, the type of pitcher that the Mariners can build around. Seattle agreed with that accessment, as he signed a four year extension worth $30 million.

But Gonzales could also be more. That is, provided that the Mariners can get him three runs of support per game.

Really – three runs are all it seems to take when Gonzales is on the mound. Just get to there, and let him take care of the rest.

While that may be a bit of an oversimplification, Gonzales has been a solid pitcher since the start of 2019. In that time, he has posted respectable 19-15 record with a 3.94 ERA and a 1.266 WHiP. In his 237.2 innings, he has struck out 178 batters with 59 walks.

At this point, Gonzales is who he is – a solid middle of the rotation arm who is being tasked with taking on the mantle of the Mariners’ ace. It is a role that he has taken on surprisingly well, posting a winning record despite the team’s struggles. And if he can get three or more runs of support, then Gonzales is able to truly be that pitcher.

In time, this should not be a problem for the Mariners’ offense. Kyle Lewis has emerged as a Rookie of the Year candidate, and Evan White is showing signs of life at the plate. J.P. Crawford is turning into an on base machine. Other pieces are coming up through the system, making Seattle a team to keep an eye on moving forward.

As long as the Seattle Mariners can get Marco Gonzales three runs, they have come away with a victory. That should be easier in the near future.