Who Thought the Seattle Mariners Would Have a Winning Campaign?
What if I told you in April that in 2021 the Seattle Mariners would have a winning season? That’s exactly what they’re doing. The question is, how?
Many didn’t believe the Seattle Mariners would have a winning record in 2021. The prevailing early season predictions had the M’s finishing third in the AL West at best; fourth was the most common. The analytics and data all say that the Mariners should not be winning games.
These guys just don’t care. They continue to defy the math; water finds its level. And maybe next year it will. However, this year, this team is defying the odds.
82 or More Wins Means Winning Season
The Mariners have clinched a… wait for it… winning season. When this article was written, the M’s were still 2.0 games down in the wild card race, but they clinched a winning season. Eighty-two wins are all that is needed to do that for those of you that weren’t “in the know.”
Did You Think They’d Do That?
Raise your hand if you thought that you would be saying that at the beginning of the 2021 season. For those in the back that couldn’t tell, only a handful of “I told you so” M’s fans raised their hands. Half of those are actually lying or thought they “could.”
James Paxton Out For The Year
On paper, this team shouldn’t have a winning season. I said it, what now? If you were to tell me that their prized free agent acquisition, James Paxton, would get injured in his first start of the season, for the season, and the M’s will still post a winning record, I’d say you lost your mind.
Worst Batting Team in the Majors
But wait, there’s more. If you were to tell me the M’s would spend most of the first months of the season batting below .200 (formally known as the Mendoza line) and would finish with a winning record, again, I would say you were lying. As of today, they are batting .225, which is still the worst average in major league baseball.
James Paxton forced to leave his start due to injury.
Wishing 'Big Maple' 🍁 nothing but the best 🙏
(📹: @TalkinYanks )pic.twitter.com/gZ0YBTbDQc
— Sportsnet 590 The FAN (@FAN590) April 7, 2021