The Seattle Mariners have endured a challenging season for their starting pitching staff, dealing with multiple injuries that have tested their depth. Despite setbacks to key starters like Logan Gilbert, George Kirby, and Bryce Miller, the rotation has maintained a solid performance through the first three months of the season. Currently, the Mariners rank ninth in the American League in ERA (4.14) and opponent batting average (.250), while holding eighth place in WHIP (1.25) and innings pitched (414 2/3).
Bryan Woo’s consistency anchors the Mariners’ pitching staff
Right-hander Bryan Woo has been a major factor in helping the Mariners’ rotation withstand its injury troubles this season. On Monday night, Woo extended his streak of pitching at least six innings in every start to 15 games after striking out nine batters over six innings in an 11-2 victory against the Twins. According to Mariners PR, no other American League pitcher has matched more six-inning starts this season than Woo.
Woo reflects on his durability and efficiency on the mound
After the game, Woo expressed the importance of pitching deep into games regardless of the situation, stating that as a team, they aim to go deep no matter the outcome. He explained,
“For me, I think it’s a combination of a bunch of things. I think that it means that I’m being efficient with my pitches, I’m getting ahead in the counts, getting some quicker outs so that I can go deeper.” —Bryan Woo, Pitcher
Approaching franchise milestones with steady performances
Woo’s current streak is not only impressive this season but also places him close to franchise records. His 15 straight starts of at least six innings put him three starts away from matching Félix Hernández’s single-season record set in 2014 and five starts shy of Randy Johnson’s Mariners record of 20 consecutive starts of six innings or more that extended from 1993 into 1994.
Leadership in key pitching statistics
Dominating many pitching leaderboards for the Mariners, Woo currently ranks first on the team in wins (seven), innings pitched (95 1/3), ERA (3.12), WHIP (.955), strikeouts (87), and quality starts (11). Beyond the team level, his quality starts, innings pitched, WHIP, and opponents’ batting average also place him among the top 10 pitchers in the American League. This consistency comes after he faced injury challenges last season and was the only rotation member to miss a start then.
Implications for the Mariners’ season and future outlook
Woo’s ability to pitch deep into games consistently provides stability to a Mariners’ rotation that has struggled with injuries to key starters like Logan Gilbert, George Kirby, and Bryce Miller. His near-record streak highlights the team’s resilience and bodes well for maintaining competitiveness in the American League. As Woo continues his streak, Mariners fans eagerly watch to see if he can challenge milestone longevity records held by legends like Hernández and Johnson.