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I was one of the fans who hoped the season would end in a strike so I wouldn’t have to watch the Mariners continue to slide. I admit it. I was also secretly hoping the A’s would win their 20th straight game in the bottom of the ninth to set the new league record. I’m not a traitor, but they reminded me of the 2001 Mariners when they were in their 15-game streak and I missed that team.
The Confidence Factor The M’s sweep of KC this past weekend, with a high output of RBI’s—thirty-nine in three games—should give them enthusiasm and confidence going into the Texas series. And if they do the same there, they should be on fire going into Oakland on Friday. Remember the slogan last year—“two outs…so what”? The fans were confident too. They knew, somehow, the team would find a way to win. There was "mojo" in the air. They are going to need that "mojo" to make it to October. The Ichiro Factor They are also going to need for Ichiro to start hitting again. He is in a 3 for 27 slump. They didn’t need him Sunday because Davis, Olerud and Relaford were on a tear—Davis hit a grand slam, Olerud equaled his career best with five RBI, and Relaford had four hits—but they will need Ichiro’s bat down the stretch. Maybe it’s good he’s getting his slump out of the way now. He could come out of it just in time to help the team in the final weeks of the season. Hitting their Peak? Maybe the whole team is coming out of their August slide just in time to help themselves in the final weeks. The first six games of the month look promising. More hitters up and down the lineup are hitting. Nine different players contributed to the fifteen hits on Sunday. Eight contributed to the fifteen on Friday. With more at stake this September than last, the M’s should play with more intensity than we have seen in a while, knowing that every game might be the one that makes the difference in the end. Go To Page: 1 2 |
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