​Despite a disappointing first half of the season, one thing that went right for the Seattle Mariners was the pitching staff.The Mariners’ starters ranked sixth in the major leagues in ERA (3.64), third in the majors and first in the American League in strikeouts (544), third in the majors and first in the AL in 1.11 and sixth in opposing batting average (.235).AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementDespite the success of Seattle’s rotation, there team’s hurlers have been embroidered in various set ups with the rotation over the first half of the season.The Mariners have opted to go with piggyback approaches and traditional six-man starting rotations, and have gone away from scheduled piggyback outings.According to a report from Ryan Divish of the Seattle Times, Seattle will go with a six-man rotation coming out of the All-Star Break.The Mariners will begin the second half of the season with two three-game series at T-Mobile Park against the San Francisco Giants and Cincinnati Reds, respectively.Per Divish’s reports, the team is not sure whether it will stick with the six-man rotation or go with another approach following the homestand. The team has “multiple scenarios” in place, per Seattle general manager Justin Hollander, via Divish’s report.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement– The Mariners will begin the second half of the season 48-49, 1.5 games behind the Texas Rangers for first place in the American League West. They’re tied for the third and final AL wild card spot with the Minnesota Twins.– Seattle utility player Brendan Donovan, who’s been out two months due to a left groin strain, began a rehab assignment with the Arizona Complex League Mariners on Thursday. This is his second stint on the IL due to the same injury, which is related to a sports hernia surgery he underwent last year with the St. Louis Cardinals.– The Mariners also were without three-time All-Star and starting center fielder Julio Rodriguez, who was placed on the seven-day concussion injured list before the team’s final road trip of the first half. There’s still no official word from the team whether Rodriguez will be ready for the beginning of the homestand.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement– Seattle will begin its first homestand of the second half with the first of a three-game series against San Francisco at 7:10 p.m. PT on Friday at T-Mobile Park in Seattle. The game will air on Seattle’s local FOX TV affiliate, Channel 13, and will stream on FOX One.Remember to join our MARINERS on ROUNDTABLE community, which is FREE! You can post your own thoughts, in text or video form, and you can engage with our Roundtable staff, as well as other Mariners fans. If prompted to download the Roundtable APP, that’s free too!