Seattle Mariners’ skipper, Scott Servais, has nerves of steel. He’s unafraid of rolling the dice and betting on the more likely positive outcome.
The Seattle Mariners skipper, Scott Servais, is a gambler. Quite possibly a fan of Foreigner and their hit song, “Cold as Ice.” Here are the opening lyrics for those who aren’t familiar with this classic Foreigner song.
“You’re as cold as ice. You’re willing to sacrifice our love. You never take advice. Someday you’ll pay the price, I know.”
Now, tell me that doesn’t sound like Servais or any head coach for that matter? If you’re still not convinced, just examine the M’s series finale against the New York Mets this past Sunday. For those who couldn’t watch or listen to the game, here’s a quick recap of the final inning.
Closing Time
Bottom of the ninth, the Seattle Mariners are up 8-5. Drew Steckenrider enters the game in a save situation. He’s facing New York’s sixth (J.D. Davis), seventh (Eduardo Escobar), and eighth (Jeff McNeil) hitters. Steckenrider gets Davis to fly out to center, one down and two to go.
Next, Escobar ropes a hit down the right-field line for a triple. McNeil then singles, scoring Escobar and making the score 8-6 Seattle. Ok, no big deal. The Mariners have a two-run lead still, and a double-play ball ends the game.
Also, the Mets are pinch-hitting recent call-up, Patrick Mazeika, for Tomas Nido, so things are still good. Mazeika singles, moving McNeil to second base and bringing the top of the order up. Alright, not ideal but still options for a double-play to end the game.
Brandon Nimmo then doubles, scoring McNeil and moving Mazeika to third with only one out. UGH!!! A double-play is no longer an option, and Starlin Marte is up to bat with New York down one!
Standing Outside The Fire
Not so fast, my friend! Servais channels his inner YoLo mantra. He’s already used Paul Sewald in the game and now Steckenrider. So, Servais turns the game’s fate over to Diego Castillo, the reliever with a 9+ ERA starting the day. At this point, the Servais haters have their Tweets and Facebook posts ready to send.
Castillo strikes out Marte! The “K” makes it two outs, with two on, and Francisco Lindor is stepping up. The Seattle Mariners opt to intentionally walk Lindor to get to Pete Alonso!!!! Are you serious?! The reigning back-to-back home run champion and current National League RBI leader! SCOTT, WHAT ARE YOU DOING!!!!!
Nausea Sets In
The scene is bases loaded, two outs, the bottom of the ninth, and a monster hitter at the plate. It’s a situation every little leaguer has fantasized about.
Any mistake pitch from Castillo can easily tie, or even worse, end the ball game. “Honey! Do we have any Pepto Bismol?”. “Yes, we have a full bottle.” “Not anymore. I chugged all of it.” “What?! Why?…Is Castillo pitching again?” “YES!! Bases loaded, Seattle is up by one with two outs in the ninth.”
I’m positive that’s how many Seattle Mariners fans felt because I did too. Cool Hand Scott Servais? Not so much as Castillo, who feeds the Mets first baseman nothing but nasty sliders to get Alonso on a check-swing strike three to end the game!
The victory means that Seattle won two-of-three over the weekend and handed New York their first series loss this season. Servais believes in his players, and this game is a perfect example.
Castillo has the stuff of a closer, but sometimes his control is lacking, and he gets crushed. It took guts to make that decision. To sum it up Servais is “Cold as Ice.”
What did you think about Scott Servais’ cold as ice decision-making? Let us know in the comments section below.
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