Mariners Celebrate Potential AL West Title
SEATTLE – The Seattle Mariners are on the brink of claiming the AL West title after a decisive three-game sweep of the Houston Astros this past weekend, marking their first potential victory in over two decades.
Following a successful 5-1 road trip to Kansas City and Houston, the Mariners are back home for the last six games of the regular season, poised to secure both the division title and a first-round bye into the AL Division Series. This would mark the first division championship for Seattle since their remarkable 116-win season in 2001.
Securing a Playoff Spot
The Mariners can clinch a playoff berth as early as Tuesday night. If they defeat the Colorado Rockies and the New York Yankees triumph over the Chicago White Sox, Seattle will secure at least a Wild Card position.
Winning the AL West
Seattle’s magic number for winning the AL West now stands at three. This means that any combination of three Mariners victories or Astros losses over the final stretch of the season will seal the division title for Seattle.
By sweeping the Astros this weekend, the Mariners gained a three-game lead in the standings and won the season series against Houston, winning eight of 13 matchups. If Seattle beats Colorado and the Astros lose to the Athletics, the Mariners will establish a de-facto five-game lead with just five games remaining.
Clinching No. 2 Seed and First-Round Bye
The triumph in Houston has put the Mariners in a good position for a first-round bye into the AL Division Series. Despite the Detroit Tigers’ recent struggles, Seattle holds a two-game lead over them and the Cleveland Guardians for the No. 2 playoff seed. The Mariners currently hold the tiebreaker over both teams, giving them a significant edge.
If the Mariners sweep the struggling Rockies over three days, they will be in a prime position for the first-round bye, provided the Tigers lose at least one game to the Guardians. While there’s a slim chance that Seattle could clinch the top seed in the American League, it’s unlikely, since they’re three games behind the Toronto Blue Jays, who currently hold the best record in the AL.
