In the roundup: Mariners pitcher Kirby has thrown five solid starts in a row but the team has won only twice; veteran Suárez returns to Seattle as a Red following trade buzz; and the Seahawks’ sale for a record $9.6 billion is explained by Jody Allen’s desire to hand control to a woman.
George Kirby wrapped up the first half of the season with five quality starts in a row — but the Mariners won only two of them
The upcoming game between the Cincinnati Reds and Seattle Mariners, scheduled for July 20, 2026, draws attention not just as a run-of-the-mill regular-season matchup, but as an opportunity to assess the ambiguous statistics of one of the hosts’ key pitchers. Seattle right-hander George Kirby, in his last five starts before the All-Star break, consistently put together what’s known as a “quality start” — a mark usually seen as a sign of reliability. Yet despite the fact that Kirby allowed no more than three earned runs and worked at least six innings in each of those games, his team managed a win only twice, suffering three defeats. The paradox begs the question: how valuable are a pitcher’s individual achievements if they don’t translate into wins?
The concept of a “quality start” in baseball is a well-established statistical criterion: the starting pitcher goes at least six innings and allows no more than three earned runs. That line is widely treated as a standard for a successful outing. But as Kirby’s example shows, even flawless work by a pitcher doesn’t guarantee overall success when the team struggles to hit or defend. In three of those five games, the Mariners couldn’t provide Kirby with enough support to secure a win. That could point to weak run production from Seattle’s offense, or to bullpen issues — possibly the relief corps failed to hold the advantage in situations where Kirby was pulled with the game tied.
For the Cincinnati Reds, the upcoming game is a chance to exploit this trend. If the visitors can break down Kirby early or at least force him to expend a lot of effort, they’ll improve their chances of success. At the same time, Kirby himself has reason to reflect on how his steady performances could be turning into more wins for the team. Maybe he’s missing the ability to “hold the tempo” in key moments when the game stays close. As noted in a preview on MLB.com, Kirby’s string of quality starts is impressive, but the win–loss record in those games is a troubling sign. If the Mariners want to contend for the playoffs, they need those individual pitching highs to be converted into team triumphs — otherwise, even the most dependable starts lose their value when they don’t produce results.
Eugenio Suárez returns to Seattle as a Red: on the verge of another trade
Eugenio Suárez, the veteran Reds third baseman, found himself in the spotlight ahead of the August 3 trade deadline. His return to Cincinnati — where he became a star — was expected to be a fairy-tale reunion: a fan favorite, a second home for a Venezuelan native, and an experienced player who could help a young team take the next step. But the Reds will almost certainly be selling, and Suárez, with a contract expiring, is a tempting target for contenders. In an interview with The Athletic on his 35th birthday, he admitted: “We think we won’t be traded. That’s our main thought. Don’t think about it — just play baseball.” The paradox, however, is that the better he plays, the more likely a move becomes, and he has started noticeably brighter.
After a hamstring injury that caused him to miss a month early in the season, Suárez took about a month to get back into form. Before the All-Star break, he hit home runs in his last two games, then added another in the first game after the break. His run of 17 games reaching base was snapped on Saturday, but on Sunday he began a new stretch with a single in the first inning of a win over the Colorado Rockies (9:6). Significantly, the turning point came on June 24 against the Milwaukee Brewers, when he had two hits — but more importantly, it was the first walk he’d drawn in 16 games. “When you start seeing the ball better and making the right decisions on swings, the results will come,” Suárez explains. Since that game, his line has been .235/.342/.515 with five home runs and nine walks alongside 33 strikeouts. Strikeouts are an inherent part of his game, but rivals know he’s also capable of catching fire just like that. And, just as importantly, he improves any clubhouse he’s in.
Suárez’s popularity was on full display Friday in Denver, when after a double in the fourth inning, the Rockies’ second baseman, Ezekiel Tovar — his Venezuelan teammate from the World Baseball Classic — gave him a warm hug. “He’s the best,” Tovar said, noting that Suárez immediately helped him, a younger player, feel comfortable. Hugs during games are unusual, but for Venezuelans it took on extra meaning after the devastating earthquakes that killed thousands a month earlier. Suárez and Tovar talked to each other about their families, made sure everyone was okay. “That’s how we Venezuelans are,” Suárez says. “You hug your brother. We’re brothers. We love each other.” Suárez admits that every time he sees devastation back home on social media, his heart breaks. His family is safe, but many are not. He has already donated money for relief, and he’s been backed by teammates and the Reds front office. “It warms my heart,” he shares. That perspective helps him treat the possibility of a trade philosophically: “This isn’t the end of the world. I feel love here. I’m in a good place. But I understand the business. Let’s see what the future brings.”
On Monday, Suárez returns to Seattle, where he was traded last year by the deadline — first he left the Mariners for the Diamondbacks, and then returned to Seattle. He’s already been through more than one move, and, as he puts it himself, “it’s only good vibes.”
The sale of the Seattle Seahawks: why the family factor became decisive
The recent news that the NFL club Seattle Seahawks is being sold to a group of investors led by Vinod Khosla for a record $9.612 billion has raised plenty of questions. As it turns out, it wasn’t just the price offer that mattered, but the personal preferences of the current owner. According to Pro Football Talk, which cited a source close to the deal, competition was extremely fierce. Khosla’s group fought for the team against another bidder — a consortium led by Aditya Mittal, a partner–co-owner of the Boston Celtics. The bidding resembled an auction, with the sides going back and forth. But the final choice went to Khosla — and it wasn’t only about money.
The source said one of the factors that tipped the balance was Vinod Khosla’s intention to name his wife, Nira Khosla, as the controlling owner of the club. That decision particularly appealed to Jody Allen, the sister of the late Paul Allen, who ran the Seahawks since 2018. Jody became the first woman to serve as chairman of the team in its history, and the prospect of transferring control to a woman likely seemed attractive to her. The NFL has strict requirements for identifying the controlling owner: it’s the person who represents the club in league votes and annually appoints a successor in the event of death or incapacity. So appointing Nira Khosla isn’t just a family arrangement — it’s a legally meaningful step.
In response to a request from Pro Football Talk, a representative for Paul Allen’s estate declined to comment on whether the gender factor was decisive, saying only that they had “nothing to add to the statement regarding the agreement to sell to the Khosla group.” Still, the very fact that such information surfaced says a lot. For Jody Allen, who has always emphasized the importance of continuity and the team’s culture, it was probably essential that the new owner share her views on how to run the franchise. More details about the transaction can be found in the original article on Seattle Sports.
To understand the situation, it’s worth clarifying: the NFL concept of a “controlling owner” means that this person or family owns at least 30% of a club’s shares and has the right to cast the deciding vote. That owner represents the team at meetings and approves key decisions, including the appointment of the league commissioner. Naming Khosla’s wife as controlling owner isn’t just a trend-based gesture — it’s a serious move intended to ensure stability and a clear governance structure. In the Seahawks’ case, it could also mean keeping the current front office and coaching staff, who, according to rumors, have established good relationships with the Khosla family.
The main takeaway from this story is that business in the NFL isn’t just numbers on a check. It’s about trust, cultural fit, and human relationships. Jody Allen may have decided that transferring the team to a family where a woman would play a leading role is symbolically the right thing to do. Now Seahawks fans will just have to wonder how this decision will shape the team’s future — from extending star contracts like Witherspoon to the long-term strategy. But one thing is clear right now: the sale of the Seahawks will go down in history not only as the most expensive deal in sports, but also as an example of how personal values can outweigh pure profit.
