The Mariners are officially on the verge of elimination, and man, does that sting after how close we got to the World Series just last year. It feels like yesterday we were just a game away from the big show, but now, as the calendar flips to September 19, the playoff picture is getting real clear and it’s not looking good for the boys in teal. We’re talking about the AL West, where things are neck and neck, but our M’s are barely hanging on.
AL West Race Is A Nail-Biter, Just Not For Us
Over in the AL West, it’s a true battle, with the Astros holding a slim tiebreaker over the Rangers. Those two are absolutely neck and neck in the standings. Meanwhile, after coming within a game of reaching the World Series last year, the Mariners are now staring down the barrel of elimination. It’s a tough pill to swallow, especially when you see the Angels and Athletics are already completely out of contention. We’re still hanging by a thread, but the division looks like a two-team race without us in it.
The AL Wild Card: A Faint Hope Amidst Chaos
The American League races are a whole different beast compared to the National League, with everything feeling much tighter. The Rays are currently leading the AL East, with the Yankees right behind them. There’s even a four-game series coming up between those two that could decide the division crown, with Aaron Judge’s leg tightness a key factor for New York. Boston is behind both teams but is in prime position for a Wild Card spot. Cleveland took over the AL Central after winning two of three against the White Sox, who had led for 74 straight days but have dropped 12 of their last 17 games. As for the AL Wild Card spots, the Yankees and Boston hold the top two, with the White Sox clinging to the final spot. Toronto, Baltimore, and Texas are all within 2.5 games of that last spot. And get this: Seattle, Detroit, and Minnesota, while on the verge of elimination from the division, *cannot be ruled out just yet* for that final Wild Card spot. It’s a long shot, but we’re still mathematically in it!
NL Teams Are Already Punching Tickets
The National League picture is much clearer, which honestly just makes our AL situation feel even more dramatic. The Milwaukee Brewers have already clinched their fourth straight NL Central crown and have the best record in baseball, led by NL Cy Young frontrunner Jacob Misiorowski, who hit 200 strikeouts last month. Over in the NL West, the Los Angeles Dodgers are dominating, securing their 13th NL West title in 14 seasons and taking another step toward a third straight World Series title. The Braves have punched their ticket to the postseason for the eighth time in nine years and have a magic number of three to win the NL East, trying to hold off the Phillies. The Cubs hold one of the top NL Wild Card spots, with Pete Crow-Armstrong having an MVP-caliber season with 40 homers and 30 stolen bases. The Pirates, Cardinals, and Reds are already out of contention.
So, yeah, it’s late September, and while other teams are clinching division titles and setting their postseason rotations, we’re left with a tiny shred of hope for a Wild Card miracle. It’s tough to watch the AL West title go down to the wire without our boys in the thick of it. But hey, “cannot be ruled out just yet” means there’s still a chance, right? We’re Seattle fans, we’ve seen stranger things happen. Let’s keep those eyes glued to the standings for the next few days and see if the M’s can pull off an unthinkable late-season run for that final Wild Card spot. We’ve gotta believe until that final out!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Fox Sports.
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