Seattle Mariners road map to making the 2020 playoffs
Evan White Seattle Mariners.
With 17 days to go in the 2020 season, the Seattle Mariners are two games out of a playoff spot. Here is a series-by-series roadmap to making the postseason.
Believe it or not, the Seattle Mariners are close to a spot in the 2020 playoffs. Entering play on Friday, they have a record of 19-24. That puts the M’s two games behind Houston for second place in the AL West and three games behind New York for the final Wild Card slot.
2020 is a rebuilding year for Seattle, a time to let their young players develop. Much to everyone’s surprise, they are still in the hunt, with 17 games remaining.
So far, it’s been both a fun and frustrating season. The Seattle Mariners and their fans would like it to continue beyond the final regular-season game on September 27. For a young team, getting a taste of playoff experience would be more than they could have hoped for just a month ago. Also, it will make them hungry to return in 2021.
To gain entry into the playoffs, it will take a better than .500 record. But two games over should work. That means the M’s have some work to do. Here is a series-by-series road map of how Seattle can extend their season.
September 11-13 at Arizona
This is a MUST-WIN series for the Seattle Mariners. The D-Backs had a trade deadline very similar to Seattle. Arizona also dealt away several pitchers, including their closer as well as a top hitter. In Arizona’s case, Starling Marte was their best hitter this season.
Aside from Texas, this is the easiest team the M’s face all year. If they can’t take two of three from the second-worst team in the National League, it’s over. Let’s be optimistic and say they do. Series outcome 2-1, season record 21-25.