SEATTLE MARINERS HAVE REASONS FOR HANGING ONTO THEIR STARTING PITCHERS

Mariners starting pitchers led the major leagues in ERA, WHIP, walks per nine innings and hits per nine innings last season. Yet Seattle missed the postseason for the 22nd time in 23 seasons as it finished with an 85-77 record. That outstanding rotation got little help from the offense. The Mariners were 22nd in scoring and 29th in batting avera