Seattle Mariners: Can They Make a Playoff Push This Season?
Kevin Walsh breaks down the Seattle Mariners' playoff potential as they navigate a crucial schedule, aiming for a World Series run amidst fierce competition.
Video Transcript
Wh- why in the world would you buy in on this team?
I'm, I'm perplexed here.
So the market does, in general, like this team.
There was a stretch where they were playing This was pre-deadline, but they were still playing their sub 500 baseball and had the second-best odds of any team in the American League to win a World Series, in front of a team like the Tampa Bay Rays.
Because of the pitching still having some pedigree, even if a down year.
They played in the ALCS last year.
Now, that respect in the market has dropped as their record has dropped, but the opportunity of their schedule was enticing.
Teams have easy schedules, you actually have to still win the games.
But what is on the plate for Seattle, now it is up to them to take advantage.
But if you A- and this was, so I took a snapshot, Craig, right?
Pre to, you know, maybe I, I placed the bet in the, you know, it was the back end of August, give or, give or take.
Mm-hmm.
Right?
Over the final 22 games for the Seattle Mariners, 17 of them were against, not bad teams, the literal three worst teams in baseball.
And the Athletics seven times, Angels seven times, and then three games against the Rockies.
With- Okay the other five games being against the teams they need to beat, in the Rangers and Astros.
Now they're not- Mm-hmm gonna go 22 and 0, as fun as that would be.
But it is a team who is set up to sneak in, I believe, not only through the wild card.
The division is live, and if Seattle gets in, you're gonna be sitting on a very nice price.
But I think they're one of the teams that if they get in will ac- res- I think if the Baltimore Orioles get in, it's like good for them.
Nobody's picking Baltimore to win, to win the American League.
Right.
Mm-hmm.
If Seattle gets in, I think there's a world they make noise.
So how does this change the World Series outlook overall?
Because Craig and I have been talking throughout the year, and really I would say that, Craig, I don't want to speak for you, but I, I would say almost 100% that you and I agree that the Yankees, the Rays or the Red Sox will essentially 100% represent the AL when it comes to- the World Series.
Yep.
One of those three teams is gonna get through because those are the three best teams.
If the Rays are going to not make it, they're gonna have the buy and not make it, are the Mariners that pick to usurp them and take over the AL and really push, assuming they do end the season on a high note?
I, I think with the idea that one of that trio is obviously going to represent.
Unlike the Na- so the National League has a trio of Atlanta, Milwaukee and LA.
The big difference is it is very, very likely that the NLCS will have two of those three teams in it.
Mm-hmm.
And there is almost no chance that happens in the American League.
Due to the way the bracket is gonna land here, the Rays will be the one seed, and then the Yankees and Red Sox will occupy the four-five in some order.
While whoever may, it does not matter if it is Red Sox, White Sox, and Chicago has home field.
Any one of those three will be favorites in an ALCS, but I don't think they will be minus 250 favorites in an ALCS.
Mm-hmm.
And again, it's not the 100% pie that is available to a big three in the National League in comparison.
So that's why I think there is some interest in can Seattle just sneak through the weaker AL portion.
'Cause if they get the AL If they win the AL West and they were the three seed, right?
I mean, who knows, miracles happen.
They're the two seed because again, it's not like Chicago's been given It's not very likely they were to catch Chicago, but I'm just saying like if the White Sox fell off, it wouldn't be the most surprising thing under the sun.
Like there's pathways there for a team like Seattle
