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Cardinals, Mets and more: Ranking the 5 most disappointing MLB teams in the first half

By Scott Roche

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JUNE 06: Pete Alonso #20 of the New York Mets reacts after striking out in the ninth inning against the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park on June 06, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JUNE 06: Pete Alonso #20 of the New York Mets reacts after striking out in the ninth inning against the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park on June 06, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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Seattle Mariners outfielder Julio Rodriguez, MLB All-Star Game
Oct 4, 2022; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Mariners center fielder Julio Rodriguez (44) runs out of the dugout before the first inning against the Detroit Tigers at T-Mobile Park. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports /

Seattle Mariners’ struggles in 2023 have been head-scratching

Last season, the Seattle Mariners welcomed prospect Julio Rodriguez to the majors and he turned out as good as advertised. He was a big part in them winning a Wild Card series over the Toronto Blue Jays on the road, before falling to American League West Division rival, the Houston Astros.

Expectations were high coming into the season for the Mariners, however, things have not gone as planned. They are in third place in the division behind the Astros and first-place Texas Rangers, but they sit just one game over .500 at 46-45 and find themselves six games behind Texas and four games out of a Wild Card spot with at least three teams they need to climb over.

In the offseason, they traded for outfielder Teoscar Hernandez from Toronto for some pop into the lineup and that is what he has brought with a team-high 15 home runs. Rodriguez is slashing .246/.310/.411, which is down from his numbers last season and Ty France is slashing .261/.332./389 in a lineup that is built to produce on a nightly basis.

It will be interesting to see how they handle the trade deadline as they are a team that should be all-in to make a move in the Wild Card standings and if they fail to get back to the postseason this season, a lot of it will do with their pitching struggles.

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