SeaTown Sports Brew - Andres Munoz Snubbed From All-Star Roster?
Seattle Mariner starting pitcher Logan Gilbert earns the All-Star Nod, but was the M's closer Andres Munoz snubbed?
Welcome to the SeaTown Sports Brew, a briefing that provides insight into Seattle’s sports teams, including a roundup of last week’s games and top performers. Have an opinion? Leave us a comment or email me here. Want this in your inbox Monday? Subscribe below.
The Leadoff - Logan Gilbert Named A.L. All-Star, Was Andres Munoz Snubbed, UW football Nabs Four-Star Wideout Chris Lawson
Logan Gilbert makes his first All-Star game. The MLB All-Star rosters were announced on Sunday. The Mariners’ sole representative as of now will be starting pitcher Logan Gilbert. In the American League, Gilbert ranks: No. 2 in quality starts (14); No. 2 in IP (117.2); No. 7 in ERA (2.91); and No. 8 in BB/9 (1.84). This will be Gilbert’s first All-Star appearance. It is well-deserved.
Was Andres Munoz snubbed? Andres Munoz is one of the primary reasons the Mariners are in first place in the A.L. West. Munoz has a 1.7 WAR and a 1.50 ERA in 36 games. He’s collected 14 saves, a 10.9 K/9 rate, and a WHIP of 1.00. New York Yankees closer Clay Holmes earned his second All-Star appearance this season. Holmes has a .5 WAR and holds a 3.00 ERA in 37 games. He has 19 saves, a 9.25 K/9 rate, and a WHIP of 1.31. Munoz is the better pitcher here and probably deserves the All-Star spot over Holmes even though Holmes has more saves than Munoz.
UW football recruiting momentum continues. Washington landed its sixth four-star recruit from the Class of 2025 on Sunday. Wide Receiver Chris Lawson from Archbishop Riordan (San Francisco, CA), committed to Washington over Cal and Oregon. Lawson briefly put on the hats of both Oregon and Cal, before taking them off one by one and then putting on his Washington hat and throwing up Ws with his hands. Washington rose to No. 17 in 247 Sports’ team rankings, No. 6 among Big Ten teams. The Huskies were ranked No. 28 last week. Shortly after Lawson announced his commitment, Washington Head Coach Jedd Fisch tweeted a GIF of former Husky and NFL player Marcus Peters that read, “I think we ain’t done yet.”
Mailbag questions. Have a mailbag question for Brian or me? Leave us a comment here and we’ll get your question answered in our column this week.
Winners and Losers
Loser - Seattle Mariners (49-43) - The ship keeps sinking. The Mariners lost both series to the Orioles and Blue Jays, going 2-4 in its homestand. Even though the Mariners scored four runs in their loss to the Blue Jays yesterday, they left an incredible 30 players on base. Thirty.
Winner - Seattle Storm (14-7) - Seattle moves into second place in the WNBA Western Conference after crushing the Dallas Wings and then splitting a home series against the Chicago Sky. Forward Nneka Ogwumike had a monster game in the Storm’s win over the Sky on Sunday. Ogwumike tallied 24 points and 13 rebounds in the team’s 84-71 victory over the Sky.
Winner - Seattle Sounders FC (8-7-7) - The Sounders won their third straight game, earning a 2-0 victory over New England. Jordan Morris and Albert Rusnak scored goals for Seattle.
Loser- Seattle Reign FC (2-9-5) - Last week I counted the Reign as a “Winner” even though they drew. This week they earned another draw. Eventually, you need to win to be a winner. The team got some nice shots during extra time, but couldn’t punch one in to get them in the win column.
On-Deck
The M’s (49-43) travel to southern California for a two-game series against the San Diego Padres (49-45) and then a four-game series against the Los Angeles Angels (37-52). I’d be happy for the Mariners to split these games, but the way things have been going, I’m not exactly confident that will happen.
Sounders FC (8-7-7) will play Sacramento Republic FC in the U.S. Open Cup quarterfinals on Tuesday 7/9, 8 p.m. on Apple TV (free) and then travel to Austin FC (8-8-6) on Saturday 7/13, 5:30 on Apple TV (free).
The Storm (14-7) have a three-game homestand this week. They host Kelsey Plum and the Las Vegas Aces (13-7) on Wednesday, 7/10, noon on Fox 13+/Amazon Prime (Seattle). They host the Western Conference first-place Minnesota Lynx (15-6) on Friday, 7/12 at 7 p.m on ION. They end the week with a matchup against the Atlanta Dream on Sunday, 7/14 3 p.m. on Fox 13+/Amazon Prime (Seattle).
This Week in Seattle Sports History
On July 9, 2007, Ichiro hit an inside-the-park home run in the All-Star game and was named the game’s MVP. Some guy in the outfield played that ball horribly. Video evidence below:
Fast Break
Logan Gilbert - I mean... I'll take it. Good other commentary and sentiments. I'll defer to y'all and pretend those are my comments too at social functions. We'll see if anyone at said events reads this too and calls me out on it hah. Wish me luck! (Practicing... "Hey, don't you think Andres Munoz was snubbed? He's the better pitcher here and probably deserves the All-Star spot over Holmes even though Holmes has more saves than Munoz! Amirite?!")
Mailbag question - Yeah. I did see the earlier family announcement... and keeping that in mind, when is your next planned trip to Seattle. Brian - when is your next planned trip to San Jose please.