The Seattle Mariners have confirmed a losing record for the first time since 2021, and we’re out of contention. The second half has been brutal, the team struggling so hard they were underdogs against the *lowly* A’s and Angels, losing all three series. But get this: we aren’t the absolute worst team in baseball anymore! After our recent series against the Rockies, the M’s moved past Colorado, making us just the *second* worst team in the majors by WAR since the All-Star break.
We’re The Second-Worst, And That’s ‘Progress’?
It’s tough to spin this, Emerald City. We just lost every series against the A’s and Angels. I even called us a ‘push’ against the Rockies last weekend, which was fair. We won that series, yeah, but only with an even run differential: 10 runs scored and 10 allowed. Still, that series did move us ahead of the Rockies by WAR since the All-Star break. We clawed our way out of the absolute bottom. Here’s how it shakes out on the WAR leaderboard for the second half:
- COL: 4.3 Total WAR (2.6 Batters, 1.7 Pitchers)
- SEA: 6.4 Total WAR (5.8 Batters, 0.6 Pitchers)
- ATH: 6.7 Total WAR (3.4 Batters, 3.3 Pitchers)
- CIN: 7.3 Total WAR (3.3 Batters, 4.0 Pitchers)
- SFG: 7.4 Total WAR (3.0 Batters, 4.4 Pitchers)
So, we’re not dead last! While we’re sixth worst by actual wins and losses in the second half, this ‘true talent’ WAR perspective paints a much grimmer picture. This ain’t your normal mid-season slump.
This Century’s Lowest Point?
This isn’t just a rough patch, folks. By WAR in the second half, this is the worst the Mariners have played in a half season this entire century. Let that sink in. We’re right there with some truly memorable, for all the wrong reasons, teams from the past. Check out these second-half WAR totals:
- 2026: 6.4 Total (5.8 Batters, 0.6 Pitchers)
- 2008: 6.5 Total (6.1 Batters, 0.4 Pitchers)
- 2010: 6.6 Total (6.7 Batters, -0.01 Pitchers)
- 2011: 8.0 Total (4.4 Batters, 3.6 Pitchers)
- 2019: 8.5 Total (5.2 Batters, 3.3 Pitchers)
Our current squad is comparable to the 2008 and 2010 teams. But remember, ‘half seasons’ are misleading. The All-Star break just chops the season, not into equal 81-game stretches. In 2010, the Mariners played 74 games in the second half, this year we’ll only play 65. So, on a rate basis, this 2026 team isn’t quite as bad as those earlier, truly abysmal years. Small comfort, but we’ll take it.
So, where does that leave us? All but eliminated and staring down a historic statistical low, even if the rate basis offers a tiny silver lining. The losing record is confirmed. The second half has been rough, no sugarcoating it. It’s a long grind, M’s fans, and right now, we’re just hoping to finish the year without digging an even deeper hole. We bleed green and blue, and we’ll keep watching. What else are we gonna do?
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Lookout Landing.
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