T-Mobile Park (Photo by Susan Dennis, via Flickr).
Monday night, the Seattle Mariners begin their final three weeks of the 2021 season. They are three games behind in the playoff chase with 19 games remaining. It starts with the M’s opening a three-game set against Boston at T-Mobile Park, who they are battling with for the postseason.
Five teams are separated by four games for two Wild Card spots. Below are the final schedules for each of the final five contenders. Here is how the Mariners’ schedule stacks up with their competitors.
Remaining Games
Sept. 13-15 vs. Tampa Bay
Sept. 17-19 vs. Minnesota
Sept. 20-22 at Tampa Bay
Sept. 23-26 at Minnesota
Sept. 28-30 vs. NY Yankees
Oct. 1-3 vs. Baltimore
Games vs playoff contenders – 9
Games vs. sub-500 teams – 10
Analysis
Toronto is on fire. Since August 28, the Jays are 13-2. Minnesota and Baltimore are two of the three worst teams in the American League. They are nine games behind Tampa for first in the A.L. East, so expect the Rays to rest some players. A trip to the postseason is in their future.
Remaining Games
Sept. 13-15 at Seattle Mariners
Sept. 17-19 vs. Baltimore
Sept. 21-22 vs. NY Mets
Sept. 24-26 vs. NY Yankees
Sept. 28-30 at Baltimore
Oct. 1-3 at Washington
Games vs. playoff contenders – 8
Games vs. sub-500 teams – 9
Analysis
Aside from their three-game series at Seattle, the Sox could have the most favorable schedule among the five. Even though the New York teams are in their respective league’s playoff chase, both fell through the standings but are showing signs of life recently. Both New York squads will fight Boston tooth and nail.
Boston’s final six are against horrible teams. Even if they struggle this week, there is time to catch up.
Remaining Games
Sept. 14-16 at Baltimore
Sept. 17-19 vs. Cleveland
Sept. 20-22 vs. Texas
Sept. 24-26 at Boston
Sept. 28-30 at Toronto
Oct. 1-3 vs. Tampa Bay
Games vs. playoff contenders – 9
Games vs. sub-500 teams – 10
Analysis
The New York Yankees have 9 games to right their ship. After dropping 11 of the last 15, that won’t be an easy task. Baring a Bronx miracle, it’s hard to see them staying in contention with the way they’ve been playing. Then again, they are the Yankees.
Remaining games
Sept. 14-16 at Kansas City
Sept. 17-19 at LA Angels
Sept. 20-23 vs. Seattle Mariners
Sept. 24-26 vs. Houston Astros
Sept. 27-29 at Seattle Mariners
Oct. 1-3 at Houston Astros
Games vs. playoff contenders – 13
Games vs. sub-500 teams – 6
Analysis
The Athletics, by far, have the most challenging remaining schedule of all the teams still in contention. Worse, they are a combined 8-17 in 2021 versus Seattle and Houston with 13 games against their division rivals.
To qualify for the playoffs, Oakland has to run the gauntlet. Since an early-August seven-game winning streak, the A’s are 10-17. Their recent track record and difficulty of opponents make that seem like climbing Mount Everest.
Remaining Games
Sept. 13-15 vs. Boston
Sept. 17-19 at Kansas City
Sept. 20-23 at Oakland
Sept. 24-26 at LA Angels
Sept. 27-29 vs. Oakland
Oct. 1-3 vs. LA Angels
Games vs. playoff contenders – 10
Games vs. sub-500 teams – 9
Analysis
Believe it or not, the Seattle Mariners hold their postseason fate in their own hands. It starts on Tuesday. They have to win two of three from Boston and a minimum of five of seven from Oakland. Doing that puts the A’s and Yankees in their rearview mirror.
If the M’s take two of three from Boston, it puts them just two games back with two games in hand. A very doable job, considering how well they played against Oakland this year. On the other hand, losing two of three would be a big setback. It wouldn’t be fatal, but the Seattle Mariners would need to almost run the table for their final 16 games.
One last thing, Seattle struggled against LAA and Kansas City. They can’t afford a letdown against these inferior clubs.
How do you feel about the Seattle Mariners schedule, down the stretch? Let us know in the comments section below or on social media.