Enjoy the Seattle Mariners' Recent Success - It May Be Fleeting

Led by the May heroics of Kyle Seager and Justin Smoak, the Seattle Mariners appear to be a much improved baseball team.

Although the team is 25-32, they've scored 242 runs and only given up 241. Given that last seasons' run differential was -119, the fact that the M's are outscoring teams is cause for celebration.

Announcers love to point out how the Mariners are winning games because of their offense this year, instead of leaving their stellar rotation hanging time and time again.

Yes, the youngsters are developing and, while the pitching may not be as good as last season, a vastly better offense has produced a better baseball team.

Or has it?

At the same date last season the Mariners had a +5 run differential and a winning record to boot. All this without the benefit of the 21-8 stat-padding shellacking the Mariners put on the Rangers a week ago.

Justin Smoak has been so hot you need sunblock just to watch him play lately, and it's not unreasonable to expect him to maintain his pace, it's downright laughable.

Kyle Seager and Dustin Ackley will have their good days and their bad days, and Kevin Millwood may be having a good couple of weeks but 37 year old, journeyman pitchers don't suddenly have amazing seasons seven years after their prime.

Sadly, even Lucas Luetge will give up an earned run, eventually.

This column isn't meant to be a downer, but rather to simply provide perspective. The Mariners have a plan and they're sticking to it. Young players like Smoak, Ackley, Seager and Jesus Montero are all growing into their roles.

The team has pitching talent in the system such as Taijuan Walker and Danny Hultzen who will be ready to go sooner than you think.

But this thing isn't going to be ready for a few more years, so don't hold it against the team when it can't replicate their recent run of success. Just sit back and enjoy it while it lasts.

For updates and perspective on the Seattle Mariners, head on over to Lookout Landing.