Seattle, WA

Is cold weather a factor in Seattle Mariners’ recent slow starts?

Published

2 years ago

May 3, 2023

Is cold weather a factor in Seattle Mariners’ recent slow starts?

Generally, the Seattle Mariners begin the MLB season off scorching, but it surely looks like as a rule they begin off chilly.

And at the least with regards to latest seasons, it seems the climate for Seattle’s early-season video games correlates to that cold and warm pattern.

Breakdown: Bryce Miller throws most dominant SP debut in Seattle Mariners historical past

I figured I’d look into the climate of the early months of latest M’s seasons as a result of it’s been downright nice in Seattle the previous few days, with sunny skies and temperatures reaching the 70s, and the Mariners haven’t been capable of benefit from the heat right here. As a substitute, they’ve been on a street journey the place they’d collection in chilly Philadelphia and Oakland sandwiched round a three-game respite in Toronto’s climate-controlled Rogers Centre.

Issues obtained particularly bleak Tuesday after they have been hitless into the eighth inning towards the A’s in 54-degree climate that included spurts of rain, although the Mariners have been capable of pull out a 2-1 win over the majors’ worst staff.

When the Mariners have been in Seattle this yr, it’s usually been depressing climate. And after they return Friday to T-Cell Park to start a six-game homestand, they’ll deliver the chilly again with them, too. Forecasts have Seattle wet and underneath 60 levels over the weekend, then inching as much as a excessive of 64 levels for the homestand finale on Might 10 towards the Texas Rangers.

May this stretch of chilly climate have one thing to do with the M’s struggling on offense early within the season, one thing additionally they did final yr throughout an an identical 13-16 begin earlier than happening to finish their lengthy postseason drought?

Because it stands, the Mariners have performed 29 video games coming into Wednesday’s recreation in Oakland (forecast: excessive of 57 with rain), with 11 of them going down in temperatures underneath 50 levels, 19 complete underneath 55 levels, and simply six over 65 levels (together with the three underneath the roof in Toronto). By way of these 29 video games, the M’s are 13-16 and have largely struggled offensively.

I do know what your query is true now.

“So? Correlation doesn’t suggest causation, dude.”

That’s true. And I’m not gonna say you’ll want to imagine climate is why the Seattle Mariners have upset a month into what many (together with myself) have known as essentially the most anticipated season in staff historical past. There are plenty of elements for that we will level to. They take a look at least a bat quick, and in the event you have been pissed off by the offseason they put collectively, you’re in all probability going to assume that’s the most important cause. I’ve additionally already written (with perception from Seattle Sports activities’ Mike Salk) about how T-Cell Park’s league-worst park issue could also be hindering offseason efforts to signal hitters.

All these and extra are in all probability elements, and I feel if you wish to come up for an evidence for a second straight 13-16 begin by the Mariners, realizing how the climate they’ve performed in compares to the recent begins they’d within the two earlier common seasons is worth it in serving to you come to a conclusion.

So right here, have a look:

2019 Seattle Mariners (18-11 begin)

Common temperature: 62.2 levels
Longest stretch of sub-60 levels: Six video games
Variety of video games of at the least 60 levels: 15 video games
Runs per recreation by means of 29 video games: 6.3
Full-season runs per recreation: 4.7
Closing file: 68-94

2021 Mariners (16-13 begin)

Common temperature: 60.4 levels
Longest stretch of sub-60 levels: Three video games (twice)
Variety of video games of at the least 60 levels: 16 video games
Runs per recreation by means of 29 video games: 4.1
Full-season runs per recreation: 4.3
Closing file: 90-72

2022 Mariners (13-16 begin)

Common temperature: 58.3 levels
Longest stretch of sub-60 levels: 9 video games
Variety of video games of at the least 60 levels: 12 video games
Runs per recreation by means of 29 video games: 4.1
Full-season runs per recreation: 4.3
Closing file: 90-72

2023 Mariners (13-16 begin)

Common temperature: 54.4 levels
Longest stretch of sub-60 levels: 10 video games
Variety of video games of at the least 60 levels: 12 video games (additionally a 10-game stretch)
Runs per recreation by means of 29 video games: 4.2

So, is that this something? I feel so. Am I saying for this reason the offense has principally fallen flat early on the previous two seasons? No, it’s positively not the one cause, but it surely certain can’t assist.

Hitting within the chilly is tough – more durable than pitching is – and to play video games for such a chronic interval early on in 50-degree climate needs to be a grind. Add that to the truth that the Mariners at all times have the worst journey within the league due to how far-off they’re from each different MLB staff, and I feel you might perceive why the M’s has been worse off out of the gate lately when caught in colder climate.

It’s attention-grabbing to me that the offense for the 2019 Mariners staff that got here into the season with no expectations flourished early on in a a lot hotter first month of the season, particularly while you see how the back-to-back 90-win M’s groups in 2021 and 2022 each averaged 4.1 runs per recreation in colder climate.

What actually stands out to me, although, is that the present Mariners have performed not only a 12-game stretch in temperatures beneath 60 levels, but additionally a separate 10-game stretch. That sounds brutal, particularly if you start thinking about simply how mentally powerful slumps might be on hitters, particularly in a yr with large expectations for his or her staff.

I might by no means say the cause the Mariners have began sluggish the previous two years is as a result of they’ve been caught in chilly temperatures in April. However I might additionally by no means say it isn’t a cause in any respect.

The solutions to questions on baseball groups are not often black and white. There are often a lot of elements that go into them. And for me, the climate is simply one other issue to contemplate.

The complete breakdown

Temperatures for the primary 29 video games of every of the final 4 full Seattle Mariners seasons

• 2019: 72 (dome), 72 (dome), 61, 58, 64, 54, 66, 63, 44, 54, 63, 77, 74, 82, 53, 56, 53, 50, 54, 54, 62, 77, 64, 63, 68, 65, 68, 56, 56

Common: 62.2 levels

• 2021: 54, 53, 60, 51, 54, 47, 67, 47, 48, 61, 61, 63, 64, 69, 70, 63, 63, 59, 46, 58, 71, 50, 77, 73, 73, 73, 65, 57, 54

Common: 60.4 levels

• 2022: 45, 48, 53, 57, 63, 62, 48, 51, 44, 47, 52, 52, 49, 55, 57, 60, 72 (dome), 72 (dome), 72 (dome), 72 (dome), 72 (dome), 72 (dome), 73 (dome), 73 (dome), 72 (dome), 52, 50, 47, 47

Common: 58.3 levels

• 2023: 54, 45, 47, 44, 45, 50, 48, 41, 45, 52, 67, 76, 77, 56, 51, 48, 48, 46, 48, 52, 59, 54, 57, 54, 55, 68 (dome), 68 (dome), 68 (dome), 54

Common: 54.4 levels (11 beneath 50, 19 beneath 55, 6 over 65 – 3 in domes)

Extra on the Seattle Mariners

• Fann: Bryce Miller debut permits Mariners a short lived sigh of reduction
• Mariners designate Tommy La Stella for project
• Bob’s Mariners Breakdown: Making sense of powerful first month
• ESPN’s Passan: Mariners ‘in for an extended season’ if Julio stays at this tempo
• Drayer: How Bryce Miller matches into Seattle Mariners’ rotation plans

Follow @BrentStecker

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Seattle, WA

Seahawks 2024 Season Awards: Second-Year EDGE Wins Most Improved Player

Published

1 hour ago

January 20, 2025

Press Room

Seahawks 2024 Season Awards: Second-Year EDGE Wins Most Improved Player

It’s been just over two weeks since the Seattle Seahawks concluded their 2024 season. Even though it missed the playoffs, Seattle had multiple players worthy of recognition on a franchise level.

The Seahawks had just one Pro Bowler (cornerback Devon Witherspoon) and were absent from the Associated Press All-Pro teams despite a few players being worthy of recognition.

Our writing staff voted on season awards for the Seahawks on a team level via a ranked-choice system. A first-place vote is worth 10 points, a second-place vote is worth five points and a third-place vote is worth three points.

The awards mirror that of the NFL’s leaguewide awards, with the addition of a Most Improved Player honor. The other awards are: Most Valuable Player, Offensive Player of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, Offensive Rookie of the Year, Defensive Rookie of the Year and Comeback Player of the Year.

First on the list of awards is the Seahawks’ Most Improved Player from the 2024 season. On the final voting tally, the number listed before a player’s name is their total points received and the number in parenthesis is the first-place votes received, if any.

Final voting: 1. 40, EDGE Derick Hall (3); 2. 31, S Coby Bryant (2); T-3. 8, CB Josh Jobe; T-3. 8, WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba; 5. 3, LT Charles Cross

This was one of just two award races where multiple players received two or more first-place votes. Hall and Bryant both had strong cases, as each went from being backups last season to primary contributors or full-time starters by the end of the season.

Hall, a 2023 second-round pick, embarked on a rapid rise in 2024. After having zero sacks as a rookie last season, the former Auburn prospect tallied eight sacks this season in addition to 37 tackles, six tackles for loss, two forced fumbles and a 36-yard scoop-and-score against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 7.

Even when he wasn’t bringing the quarterback down, Hall was consistently pressuring opposing passers, finishing tied for 10th among all edge rushers with 13 quarterback hits. His 45 total pressures tied for fourth among Seattle defenders.

Hall was expected to make at least somewhat of a leap this season, with a fellow Seahawks edge rusher praising the second-year player after recording his first career sack in Week 1.

“He’s hungry. He’s ready to go out there and prove what he can do,” veteran Uchenna Nwosu said of Hall during training camp in late July. “From the offseason training that he’s put in until now, you can see it out there. He’s committed more than ever.”

Perhaps nobody could have anticipated how good he would be in year two, with Boye Mafe and Nwosu expected to lead the edge rusher group. But Nwosu missed 11 games, opening the door for Hall to start 14.

Hall more than doubled his defensive snap count from 2023, finishing with 673 in his second season (308 as a rookie). His pressure rate jumped from just over 8 percent last season to 12.2 percent.

New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) fumbles while under pursuit from Seattle Seahawks linebacker Derick Hall (58).

Oct 6, 2024; Seattle, Washington, USA; New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) fumbles while under pursuit from Seattle Seahawks linebacker Derick Hall (58) during the first quarter at Lumen Field. New York recovered the fumble. / Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images

Bryant in second feels fitting considering his evolution as a starting safety. That transition began last season, but Bryant played in just nine games.

Once former starter Rayshawn Jenkins was placed on injured reserve, Bryant started Seattle’s final 11 games en route to by far the best season of his three-year career. Jenkins became the third safety once he returned to the lineup.

In 17 appearances, Bryant finished with 73 tackles, six pass deflections and three interceptions — one of which he returned 69 yards for a touchdown in Week 12. He did have 70 tackles, four forced fumbles and two sacks as a rookie in 2022, but he didn’t display the every-down talent that warranted making him a full-time starter.

Cornerback Josh Jobe and wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba tied for third.

Jobe went undrafted in 2022 and played two seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles before being waived ahead of the 2024 season. Seattle signed Jobe to its practice squad in late August and he ended up playing in 10 games (six starts), totaling 37 tackles, seven pass deflections and an interception. He evolved into the starting outside cornerback opposite Riq Woolen in the latter part of the season.

Smith-Njigba led all Seahawks receivers with 100 catches, 1,130 receiving yards and six touchdowns. His reception total tied Tyler Lockett’s single-season record, set in 2020. Smith-Njigba is firmly in contention for other awards in this series.

Seahawks former first-round left tackle Charles Cross also received one third-place vote.

Hall’s production may jump even further in 2025 if edge rusher Dre’Mont Jones is cut as a result of his massive contract. Seattle’s younger options are producing more and are far cheaper.

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Seattle, WA

Seahawks Projected to Land Pitt TE

Published

9 hours ago

January 20, 2025

Press Room

PITTSBURGH — The Seattle Seahawks will take their chances with a talented Pitt Panthers tight end, according to the latest mock draft.

Dalton Miller of Pro Football Network released his full, seven-round 2025 NFL mock draft, and has the Seahawks taking Pitt senior tight end Gavin Bartholomew with the No. 193 overall pick in the sixth round.

He came out of Blue Mountain High School in Schuylkill Haven, Pa. with little fan fare and Pitt as his only Power Five offer.

Bartholomew had a great freshman season in 2021, playing in all 14 games and starting eight as Pitt won the ACC Championship.

With Heisman finalist quarterback Kenny Pickett under center, Bartholomew made 27 catches for 317 yards and four touchdowns. He earned an All-ACC Honourable Mention, as well as second team Freshman All-American honors from The Athletic and Pro Football Network for his efforts.

The next two seasons should’ve shown improvement for Bartholomew, but his stats remained either similar or lesser than his freshman campaign.

Offensive coordinator Frank Cignetti Jr. didn’t put much emphasis into getting Bartholomew the ball as much, plus the struggles of quarterbacks like Kedon Slovis, Phil Jurkovec and Christian Veilleux, led to a stagnation in statistical production.

Bartholomew had 21 catches for 283 yards and two touchdowns as a sophomore in 2022 and then only 18 catches for 326 yards and a touchdown as a junior last season.

He finished his senior season in 2024 with a career-high 38 catches for 322 yards and tied his career-high with four touchdowns.

Bartholomew had a season-high five catches for 59 yards in the 55-24 victory over Kent State in the season opener.

He grabbed one touchdown each in the home losses to Virginia in Week 12 and Clemson in Week 13 and then two touchdown catches in the road loss to Boston College in Week 14, his first multi-touchdown game.

Bartholomew earned a spot in the Senior Bowl, where the Seahawks would get a good chance to look at him.

He was on the Senior Bowl Watch List heading into the season, as Jim Nagy, the Senior Bowl Executive Director, has praised him on numerous occassions. He also went to see him prior to the road match vs. Cincinnati in Week 2, which ended in the Pitt’s biggest comeback in 50 years.

Make sure you bookmark Inside the Panthers for the latest news, exclusive interviews, recruiting coverage, and more!

Follow Inside the Panthers on Twitter: @InsidePitt

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Seattle, WA

Seattle weather: Prepare for frigid, frosty week ahead

Published

17 hours ago

January 20, 2025

Press Room

Seattle weather: Prepare for frigid, frosty week ahead

FOX 13 Meteorologist Ilona McCauley has your 7-day forecast.

SEATTLE – Another night with frigid temperatures is forecast for much of Western Washington. Watch for icy and slick spots early in the morning. Widespread frost is expected well into the late morning hours until we can get the sun angle high enough to thaw us out.

Frigid temperatures are expected across Western Washington tonight.

A northerly breeze, 5-15 mph, is forecast into the morning, lowering wind chill values to between 20–25 degrees. A Cold Weather Advisory is in place till 8 am on Monday. Be sure to take care of your pets, check on sensitive people and cover your plants and pipes.

Dangerous cold settles in overnight with temperatures well below freezing.

A cold weather advisory is in effect till Monday morning. Make sure you protect yourself and your home from the cold.

A hard freeze is forecast through at least Wednesday morning. With a slight chance of showers on Thursday night and Friday, there will be a bit more cloud cover bumping overnight lows by a couple degrees.