Seattle Mariners’ Tumultuous Season: A Deep Dive into Their AL West Collapse

The Seattle Mariners, a team that had once held a commanding 10-game lead in the American League (AL) West, now find themselves in a precarious position. With just six weeks left in the season, they are not only trailing the Houston Astros by four games but also find themselves 5 1/2 games behind the third wild-card spot. The dramatic fall from grace has been a source of immense frustration for the team and its fans. In June, the Mariners were riding high, 13 games over .500 and seemingly unstoppable. However, the tides have turned, and they are now grappling with the possibility of missing the postseason for the second consecutive year. This article delves into the myriad factors contributing to this collapse, from injuries and player inefficacy to the resurgence of their rivals.

One of the primary reasons for the Mariners’ downfall has been the dominance of the Houston Astros since May 9. The Astros have not only posted the best winning percentage in Major League Baseball (MLB) during this period but also boast a league-best run differential of plus-102. The Mariners, on the other hand, have struggled to keep pace. Young superstars like Julio Rodríguez and J.P. Crawford have seen their production decline due to injuries and ineffectiveness. These injuries have cost them almost a month of playing time, and their absence has significantly impacted the team’s performance. Last season, Rodríguez and Crawford contributed to 10.4 wins, but this season, that number has dwindled to just 3.6 wins.

The Mariners’ schedule does offer some hope, as it is relatively easier compared to that of the Astros. However, the Astros are expected to have key players returning from injury, including future Hall of Famer Justin Verlander and outfielder Kyle Tucker. While Tucker’s return is not certain, he has been making progress towards getting back on the field. Even without these players, the Astros have been dominant for the past three months and show no signs of slowing down. This puts the Mariners in a difficult position as the season comes to a close. The road ahead is fraught with challenges, and the Mariners will need to play near-perfect baseball to make a comeback.

Adding to the Mariners’ woes is their recent performance on a nine-game road trip, which began with two potentially winnable series. Unfortunately, they managed to win only one game out of six. The offense struggled immensely, scoring three or fewer runs in all five losses. During these five losses, the team hit just .139 and struck out frequently. Even the pitching staff, usually a strong point for the Mariners, faltered. George Kirby gave up a career-worst 11 runs in a game against Detroit, and the bullpen blew late leads in back-to-back games. According to Fangraphs, the Mariners’ chances of making the playoffs are currently 23.3%, a stark contrast to their mid-June odds.

Historically, the Mariners have been successful in close games, but recent times have been different. Since June 18, they have a season record of 4-11 in one-run games. This is a significant departure from their earlier performance and has contributed to their fall in the standings. At the start of the week, the Mariners were tied for first place in the AL West, but they have now fallen four games behind the Astros. Meanwhile, third-place Texas is quickly falling out of the playoff picture, adding another layer of complexity to the Mariners’ situation. They are also behind the Royals and Red Sox in the wild card race, making their path to the postseason even more challenging.

Despite the struggles, there have been some bright spots for the Mariners. Bryan Woo has been pitching well for Seattle, although he has not gotten a win in his last two outings. The team’s road trip will end with a tough series against the NL West-leading Dodgers. While the Dodgers are dealing with some injuries, they remain a formidable opponent. The Mariners will need to bring their A-game to stand a chance against such a strong team. The upcoming series will be a litmus test for the Mariners, revealing whether they can muster the resilience needed to turn their season around.

The Mariners’ recent history has been a rollercoaster ride for their fans. From the highs of making the playoffs in 2022 to the lows of disappointing seasons, the team’s performance has been unpredictable. Fans fondly remember the 2022 season, which was marked by an infamous brawl with the Angels and a subsequent playoff berth. However, seasons like 2015 and 2019 have left a bitter taste. The 2015 Mariners finished eight games ahead of the 2019 Mariners but were considered more disappointing because they were expected to contend. The 2019 team, on the other hand, was always destined for last place.

The current season, 2024, is likely to rank low in both success and enjoyment for Mariners fans. The team has recently had two unwatchable games against the Tigers, further dampening spirits. The Astros, meanwhile, have won eight straight games and are ahead of the Mariners. The game against the Tigers was an opportunity for the Mariners to stabilize, but they failed to capitalize. Facing solid starter Kenta Maeda, the Mariners struggled offensively. Alex Faedo, who started the game for the Tigers, also had his share of struggles, walking four batters. Bryce Miller, however, had an excellent performance for the Mariners, pitching seven shutout innings with nine strikeouts. Despite this, a controversial decision to pull Miller after seven innings may have cost the Mariners the game.

The Mariners’ predicament is further highlighted by their recent game against the Pirates, where they lost 2-7. This brought their record to 63-61, a significant decline from their earlier performance. On June 19, they had a 10-game lead at the top of the AL West division. Since then, their win percentage has dropped to .388, the second-lowest in MLB, only ahead of the White Sox at .204. This stretch has been incredibly challenging for the Mariners, who had a chance to secure a strong lead in their division but failed to maintain it. The comparison to other teams in MLB underscores the severity of their decline.

The Mariners’ struggles are not just limited to their on-field performance. Manager Scott Servais has admitted that the team is not playing good baseball. Over the past week, the Mariners have ranked last in batting average, weighted runs created plus (wRC+), and 29th in on-base percentage in all of MLB. However, they still hold the lead for most strikeouts in the league. This combination of poor offensive metrics has been a significant factor in their recent losses. Even in games where the Mariners have managed to stack hits, they have struggled to push runs across and leave too many runners on base. This inefficiency has led to frustration among the team and speculation about their mental preparation.

Despite these challenges, the Mariners have a winning record when scoring four or more runs. However, they only have 13 wins when scoring three or less. This statistic highlights the struggles on offense and the inability to support their strong starting rotation. The Mariners lead the league in quality starts and feature four pitchers with 13 or more quality starts. One of the most frustrating losses during this stretch was when starters Bryse Miller and Bryan Woo threw a combined 14 shutout innings, but the team still lost due to insufficient run support. This has left some starting pitchers questioning their mindset on the mound and their ability to control the outcome of the game.

After a five-game losing streak, the Mariners were able to end their freefall with a win on Sunday, thanks to a strong performance by starter George Kirby and a home run from catcher Cal Raleigh. However, the Houston Astros won on the same day, maintaining their lead in the division. Adding to the team’s struggles, outfielder Mitch Haniger suffered an injury on Saturday and is considered day-to-day. This follows a string of injuries for the team and puts their playoff hopes in jeopardy. The Mariners will need to find a way to overcome these obstacles if they hope to make a push for the playoffs.

Despite the team’s overall struggles, there have been individual performances worth noting. Outfielder Victor Robles has shined since joining the Mariners in June. The 27-year-old was released by his former team, the Washington Nationals, but has found a home with Seattle. With his recent contract extension, he will remain with the team for at least two more years. The Mariners recently announced their 2025 spring training schedule, including 18 games at the Peoria Sports Complex. As they continue their battle with the Astros for the division title, the team is looking to shake up their struggling offense and make a push for the playoffs.