4 MLB Teams Bound to Improve in the Second Half

Seattle Mariners

First-Half Record: 45-44
Run Differential: +51
numberFire Ranking: 9th

Pitching has never been a concern in the past for the Seattle Mariners, but the script has flipped a bit this year. Suddenly, they have the fourth-best offense in the league in terms of wRC+ while the pitching has disappointed. Even with the pitching struggles, though, they have a 50-39 Pythagorean win-loss, meaning this team is much better than their record would indicate.

At the break, the Mariners possess the best run differential in the American League West at plus-51. The second-best mark is the Houston Astros at plus-30, and the first-place Texas Rangers are plus-16. Their records are the reverse of the standings in terms of run differential. If that seems a bit fluky, it's likely because it is, and that would hint that the Mariners' 8.5-game deficit isn't as daunting as it appears.

You can't accuse the Mariners of not trying to fix their rotation issues. They've used nine different starters in just the past 30 days. Each of Felix Hernandez, Taijuan Walker, and Wade Miley has wound up on the disabled list this year, and it's hard to contend when that's the case. It's not all grim, though.

Hernandez made his first rehab start Sunday, striking out 6 of the 19 batters he faced while walking 2. The three runs allowed on six hits are ugly, but a lot of that could be luck- or defense-related. Walker has been very good when healthy this year, and he doesn't figure to miss much time. Slotting those two back in the rotation will help, and they can get away with some shortcomings when the offense is as good as theirs.