The Seattle Mariners keep rolling along and are starting to remind veteran baseball observers of another team from the 90’s.

No, it’s not the Yankees. The 1995 season started late because of the aftermath of the labor snafus which cancelled the World Series in ’94.

Take a look at the ’95 Indians.

Once the umpire yelled “Batter up”, Cleveland pounded the ball. The lineup was balanced with speed on the top. Kenny Lofton, Omar Vizquel, and 26 year old Carlos Baerga were in their prime.

For power, it was Jim Thome, Manny Ramirez, and Albert Belle. Paul Sorrento, Sandy Alomar, and Eddie Murray were major contributors. Seven of the hitters had ten or more homers with Belle slugging 50 with 126 RBI’s.

On the mound, Charles Nagy, Orel Hershiser, Dennis Martinez, Mark Clark, and Julian Tavarez got the job done. Jose Mesa saved 46 games.

Sounds and looks like the Mariners.

Jeff Newman, bench coach on that team, said that the Indians never felt they were out of any game. If they were down by three runs heading into the seventh inning, they knew it was just a matter of time until they tied the game.

This Mariner team is very similar. Their speed is not obvious until you watch them play in person. TV coverage doesn’t do them justice. They get to balls in the outfield and infield, others don’t. They easily go from first to third or second to home without difficulty. They leg out hits in the infield.

Most importantly, they are never out of the game. They pound the ball from the seventh inning on. Once you give them an opening, they kick the door in.

They are beginning to build a lead in the AL West, unless some other teams in the league stop them, the margin will be in double figures by May 20th. By the way, Cleveland won the AL Central by 30 games in 1995.

Texas GM, John Hart, has always been a boom boom offense guy. He has a real challenge in Texas because without upgrading his pitching substantially, this team will flounder all year.

His first move was to banish John Rocker to AAA. His next should be getting a big league closer and another legitimate starting pitcher, even if it means giving up some offense.

The back injury suffered by Pudge Rodriguez makes it unlikely that he will be dealt, but I think Pudge will be trade bait eventually. He can bring help quickly.

Sosa, McGriff and Alou went 4-11 with three runs scored and two RBI’s yesterday. Cub fans must be patient. It will happen if these guys stay healthy.

Al Leiter has been the staff leader at times. Javier Vasquez is the best the Expos have to offer. Last week, the Expo righty blew a 7-1 lead, he’s better than that. Today he gets the ball and “it’s all she wrote.”

Things are not going well in Milwaukee. With Davey Lopes and Dave Stewart running the show, expect more inside pitching and repeats of the bench clearing brawl with the Pirates yesterday. They better be careful or Ben Sheets might get hurt in one of these ridiculous macho arguments.

Bartolo Colon and Todd Ritchie. ChiSox take on Cleveland. These two pitchers hold many keys as to how these two teams will fare this year. This should be a good pitching match up today. Ritchie started 0-8 last year for the Pirates, he has yet to win for the Sox, although he has thrown well. Unfortunately, he needs bull pen help, which is a problem for the Southsiders.

A’s and Angels. It’s a day game. Erik Hiljus is a fly ball pitcher. The sun is out. The ball will travel a lot better today than last night. The A’s are not at full strength, but Jermaine Dye is on the way this weekend. Troy Percival is close to returning which makes the Angels much more dangerous.

Scott Erickson and David Wells. Both pitchers missed last season with injuries, both are off to great starts. Yankee pen was super last night. Reason being, no Ramiro Mendoza. Karsay and Stanton closed the game. Today, if it’s close, Mariano Rivera will be in in the eighth inning.

I have to check, but it seems like there are more injuries to pitchers early in the season than I remember in a long time.