Seattle Mariners on Historically Bad Strikeout Pace Through First Four Games of Season

Yes it's just four games, but the Seattle Mariners are having trouble putting the ball in play. The M's struck out 46 times in four games against the Boston Red Sox, which is a historically bad pace for the organization.

Mar 14, 2024; Peoria, Arizona, USA; Seattle Mariners shortstop J.P. Crawford bats against the / Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

Yes, we know the caveat, "it's early,"

But just because it's early doesn't mean it can't be alarming.

The Seattle Mariners, through just the first four games of the season, are having a historic ineptitude at simply putting the ball in play. The M's split the first four games of the season with the Boston Red Sox but they whiffed all weekend long, striking out a massive 46 times in those four games.

What's even worse is that they did it against a Red Sox staff that is supposed to be one of the weakest in the entire American League. Brayan Bello, Nick Pivetta, Kutter Crawford and Garrett Whitlock routinely made the M's hitters look foolish with a dizzying array of offspeed pitches.

Per Adam Jude of the Seattle Times, who had more context on the M's woes:

Mariners batters struck out in 25.9% of their plate appearances in 2023, a franchise record.

Through four games this season, they’ve struck out in 33.1% of their plate appearances, with 45 K’s and 6 walks.

Mariners batters struck out in 25.9% of their plate appearances in 2023, a franchise record.

Through four games this season, they’ve struck out in 33.1% of their plate appearances, with 45 K’s and 6 walks.

— Adam Jude (@A_Jude) March 31, 2024

Seattle changed up the roster, jettisoning Teoscar Hernandez, Jarred Kelenic and Eugenio Suarez in favor of more contact-prone hitters, and they brought in a new hitting strategist, Brant Brown, but so far the moves haven't paid dividends.

In addition to the contact woes, the M's are also having woes in the power department. Mitch Haniger and Dylan Moore homered on Opening Day and J.P. Crawford homered on Friday, but the team failed to go yard on Saturday or Sunday.

Seattle will host the Cleveland Guardians on Monday at 9:40 p.m. ET.

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