Seattle Mariners.
Evan White Seattle Mariners.
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.
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.
Justus Sheffield, Seattle Mariners.
Seattle starts a 10-game homestand on the 14th. They are 11-8 at T-Mobile park this year.
These are two of the games that were postponed from the beginning of the month, due to a member of the A’s testing positive for COVID-19. Oakland has the best record in the American League, and they have beaten the M’s in three of the four games played this year.
It’s actually not that bad, aside from an 11-1 blowout, the Mariners have played the West Division leaders tight this year. Two of the games were decided by one run, with one of them settled in extra innings after Seattle blew a 2-0 lead in the seventh. The teams will split this twin-bill. Series outcome 1-1, season record 22-26.
San Francisco may be hot right now, but they have a big series in San Diego this weekend, and the Bay Bridge series the following weekend. The M’s are sandwiched in between. San Francisco is 9-13 on the road. It’s payback time for the two games they lost in the city by the bay (thanks Journey) last week. Seattle sweeps. Series outcome 2-0, season record 24-26.
Some very familiar faces come back to town when the Padres visit. Austin Nola, Taylor Williams, and Dan Altavilla will be in their new brown and yellow uniforms.
Seattle took two of the three games these teams played in August. They lost the third when San Diego rallied for seven runs in the seventh inning of a doubleheader game. That was the pre-trade deadline, Padres. Since the deadline, San Diego is the hottest team in baseball, with a 7-2 record. At this point, the young Seattle Mariners will be smelling blood while SD realizes they can’t catch the Dodgers for first place in the NL West. Seattle once again wins two of three. Series outcome 2-1, season record 26-27.
Kyle Seager, Seattle Mariners.
When this series starts, the Mariners and Astros should be separated by a game. It may even determine which of the two teams goes on to October baseball. Yes, Houston has had the Mariners number the last two years, but the tide is beginning to turn. Seattle lost a pair of one-run games the last time they played Houston.
As hot as San Diego is, Houston is that cold. The injury-riddled Astros have dropped eight of their last nine and 10 of 12. Seattle and Houston are going in opposite directions, and the short-handed Astros will get beat. It’s a big fall for the defending AL Champions. Some would say they deserve it. Series outcome 2-1, season record 28-28.
Four games over three days in Oakland to finish the season. Believe it or not, the M’s may have caught a break in this series. You read that right. Maybe, just maybe this works out for Seattle.
By the final weekend, postseason positions could very well be set, or at least for the last two games. The Athletics wouldn’t have anything to play for and may very well rest some of their key players ahead of the playoffs. The Mariners take advantage and win three games. Series outcome 3-1, season record 31-29.
The plan is very optimistic. The Astros are reeling and bordering on a free fall. With a good finish, the Seattle Mariners can take second in the AL West away from them. No one saw that coming when camp opened in July. Just like nobody thought Kyle Lewis would contend for the American League Rookie of the Year.
How do you think the Seattle Mariners will finish the 2020 season? Let us know in the comments section below or on social media.