This Mariners season to this point has seen its share of tantalizing storylines — the team was no-hit twice in a 13-day span in May, besieged by injuries, there was turnover with the roster at the trade deadline and who could ever forget that timeless classic: run differential! (Yes, we’re kidding).
But when the dust finally settles on this season — whenever that may occur — perhaps the most prevailing narrative from 2021, and one of the biggest reasons why Seattle is still in the wild-card hunt, will likely be this: the bullpen.
For better or for worse.
For the majority of this season, it’s certainly been for the better. This group, despite its many changing faces, has helped hold together the Mariners through some rough patches and is a primary reason why the club has a 78-67 record.
But a night after the Mariners’ bullpen bailed them out of a handful of tight spots — a recurring theme during this dreamy season — the tables were turned as the Red Sox put up five runs on the bullpen during a fitful eighth inning for an 8-4 victory that evened the series.
“The bullpen has been so steady all year long,” Mariners manager Scott Servais said.
This time of the season — the middle of September — is no time for a bullpen meltdown. The Mariners, with 17 games remaining starting with Wednesday’s series finale against the Red Sox, simply can’t afford them.
But there’s good news, even on the heels of a rare clunker for the Mariners.
“I think our bullpen right now is as strong as it’s been at any point in the season,” Servais said recently.
