Seattle Mariners outfielder Julio Rodriguez (44) hits a triple during the seventh inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on Aug. 13. Daniel Kucin Jr.-Imagn Images

Where the Seattle Mariners Stand in Updated American League Playoff Picture

Originally posted on Seattle Mariners on SI
By Brady Farkas | Last updated Aug 22, 2025 11:00 AM ET

After a dreadful 2-7 road trip through Baltimore, New York, Williamsport and Philadelphia, the Seattle Mariners needed the off day in the worst way on Thursday.

They'll return home on Friday to start a new series with the division-rival Athletics, who have gone 7-3 in their last 10. The Mariners have gone 3-7.

However, thanks to struggles from many of the teams around them in the standings, the Mariners are still in a solid position right now with regards to a possible playoff berth.

American League West

Seattle enters the weekend officially two games back of the Houston Astros, who won on Thursday night against the Baltimore Orioles.

The M's will play the Astros in Houston from Sept. 19-21 and that series could go a long way toward determining if the Mariners can win the American League West for the first time since 2001.

Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images

Wild card

For the moment, it's five teams battling for three spots here with the New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, Mariners, Kansas City Roya ls and Cleveland Guardians all boasting reasonable chances.

So, the computer likes the Mariners chances of getting into the playoffs, but they still have to play the games and do the job. There are multiple other things to note as we move forward:

Notable

The Red Sox and Yankees play each other six more times, meaning the Mariners will have additional chances to gain ground on those teams.

The Guardians and Royals play each other four times, so, same story.

The Mariners play the Guardians three times, and the Royals three times. They will have a chance to separate from those teams, while also gaining season tiebreakers over them. Seattle is currently 3-0 against Cleveland and 2-2 vs. Kansas City.

The Royals have the 11th-hardest schedule remaining, per Tankathon, and they play the Tigers six more times, the Phillies three and the Toronto Blue Jays three.