Seattle Mariners

2022 - 10 - 15

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Image courtesy of "MLB.com"

Astros-Mariners Game 3 FAQ (Sat., 4 ET, TBS) (MLB.com)

HOUSTON -- Can the Astros close out this American League Division Series and advance to play for the pennant for the sixth straight year?

Follow [@brianmctaggart](http://twitter.com/brianmctaggart) on Twitter. [with two go-ahead homers](https://www.mlb.com/news/astros-win-game-2-2022-alds) and seven RBIs in the first two games of the ALDS. Follow him on Twitter at [@DKramer_](http://twitter.com/DKramer_). The others: Troy Glaus (2002) and Ken Griffey Jr. [will make his first postseason start](https://www.mlb.com/news/george-kirby-starting-game-3-of-alds-for-mariners). Mariners: Julio Rodríguez went 1-for-5 in Game 2, but his hit was a 115.8 mph double, the hardest-hit ball of the game. Astros manager Dusty Baker has yet to use his best reliever -- Ryne Stanek -- in either of the first two games. He ranks second in club history in postseason innings pitched (57 1/3), trailing only Justin Verlander (93 1/3). (4-2, 2.27 in the regular season) was limited to eight starts due to a right flexor tendon injury, but he racked up 50 strikeouts and posted a .215 opponent average upon his return. Kirby’s 7.79 K/BB ratio through his first 20 starts is the highest in AL/NL history, excluding openers. The right-hander made his playoff debut in Game 2 of the AL Wild Card Series, earning the save in his first Major League relief appearance. The standings in this best-of-five round show complete Houston dominance, but this back-and-forth has been much closer than it looks.

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Image courtesy of "ESPN"

Three questions for Seattle Mariners after MLB playoffs exit (ESPN)

They couldn't beat the Astros, but at least their epic playoff drought is over. Are there more good things to come for the M's in 2023 and beyond?

[Dylan Moore](https://www.espn.com/mlb/player/_/id/40593/dylan-moore) and [Sam Haggerty](https://www.espn.com/mlb/player/_/id/38347/sam-haggerty) in bench roles. [Joey Gallo](https://www.espn.com/mlb/player/_/id/32818/joey-gallo) would be a roll of the dice, while [Joc Pederson](https://www.espn.com/mlb/player/_/id/31392/joc-pederson) is a less expensive platoon option. They traded away a lot of organizational depth in the [Eugenio Suarez](https://www.espn.com/mlb/player/_/id/32367/eugenio-suarez)/ [Jesse Winker](https://www.espn.com/mlb/player/_/id/32833/jesse-winker) and [Luis Castillo](https://www.espn.com/mlb/player/_/id/35124/luis-castillo) deals, so the farm system is thinner than it has been. [Brandon Nimmo](https://www.espn.com/mlb/player/_/id/32159/brandon-nimmo) is probably the best of the non-Judge outfield free agents. He still has a great eye, but his hard-hit rate fell from the 81st percentile to the 19th percentile. He did look a little better when he returned in September (because of Rodriguez's injury), but he also looked better last September and was stone cold to start the season. [Julio Rodriguez](https://www.espn.com/mlb/player/_/id/41044/julio-rodriguez) emerged as a superstar -- although his late-season back injury is a little concerning. Or maybe you move Crawford to second base to fill a hole there and sign one of the shortstops. Extension candidates: They may be all extended out for the time being after the team signed Rodriguez to his 12-year mega-extension and Luis Castillo to a five-year extension that can run through 2028. Now, you could trade Crawford and sign one of the shortstops. [Andres Munoz](https://www.espn.com/mlb/player/_/id/40939/andres-munoz) emerging as a big relief arm -- how good does that [Ty France](https://www.espn.com/mlb/player/_/id/35591/ty-france)/ [Austin Nola](https://www.espn.com/mlb/player/_/id/32961/austin-nola) trade look now? Since the next step is making up ground on the [Houston Astros](/mlb/team/_/name/hou/houston-astros), they'll have to improve their hitting.

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