The Seattle Mariners are looking to make their first playoff appearance since 2001, and it isn’t a fluke.
At 79-61, the team currently sits in a tie for the first Wild Card spot, six games ahead of the rest of the pack.
With just 22 games remaining on their schedule, it is reasonable to accept that they are playoff bound.
However, will that be all?
Do the Mariners have enough to carry them through the playoffs and to a World Series title?
Here is a look at why they might be able to put together a run.
The Electric Home Crowd
Seattle has one of the most energetic and dedicated fan bases in all of baseball.
This has been evident in the organizations constant support throughout the years, even as the team has struggled on the field.
Now, as the team inches their way to a spot in October baseball, the support is only growing.
This means it has the potential to become a very hostile place to play in the playoffs.
Combine this with the travel tied to getting there, and it could be difficult for opposing teams to find success there.
This alone is something that could really end up being on the Mariners side when the playoffs start.
A Young And Talented Offense
The emergence of Julio Rodriguez as a young superstar has helped form the Mariners’ identity.
At just 21 years old, Rodriguez looks like a lock for the American League Rookie of the Year award with 25 home runs, 24 stolen bases, and a .277 batting average.
However, he isn’t the only young face on the Mariners driving the offense.
Catcher Cal Raleigh has been an important power bat in his first full MLB season.
In his third season with the Mariners, Ty France has taken the next step to become a legitimate middle of the order bat.
Each of these names has allowed the veterans of the team to play their game and return to form in 2022.
Eugenio Suarez, after coming off an abysmal 2021 season, has returned to form this year and looks to be hitting over 30 home runs again.
J.P. Crawford, who started off the season very hot, is still a strong option at shortstop, while outfielder Mitch Haniger is always a threat in the lineup.
Put all of these names together and the Mariners have one of the most underrated lineups in all of baseball.
Addition Of Luis Castillo Changed Everything
The addition of Cincinnati Reds ace Luis Castillo at the trade deadline changed everything for the Mariners.
Castillo gave the team a bonafide ace on the mound that has been one of the best pitchers in the game this year.
This is exactly what they were missing, giving the rotation a feared arm to lean on in a playoff series.
It stands out even more when looking at the rest of their rotation, as Robbie Ray, Marco Gonzales, Logan Gilbert, and George Kirby are all starters with an ERA well under four.
Not only this, but the bullpen has arms like Paul Sewald, Andres Munoz, and Erik Swanson who have all been dominant in relief.
This gives the Mariners one of the best pitching staffs not only in the AL, but in all of baseball heading into the playoffs.
With how important pitching is, it would be a mistake to overlook this team in a series.
Because of this, they have the potential to make a legitimate run this postseason.
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