MLB Postseason: Breaking Down the AL Wild Card Chase

Seattle Mariners: 66-68

You have to give Seattle Mariners GM Jerry DiPoto credit for refusing to give up.

Despite a relatively bleak outlook in regards to this year’s postseason picture, DiPoto has continued to change over his roster. Those moves have continued into August, with the Mariners bringing in Yonder Alonso and Mike Leake to strengthen the roster. Coupled with their moves this offseason, the Mariners are a vastly different team than they were this time last year.

One does have to wonder if those moves have made a major difference. Seattle came into Thursday’s action two games under .500, and four back int he Wild Card. With DiPoto aiming to bring the Mariners back to the postseason for the first time since 2001, that record is not what they had hoped for.

It certainly does not help the Mariners cause that they are missing two of their top starters. Felix Hernandez may not be the ace he was, but he has still been a solid innings eater. James Paxton had emerged as a star before being placed on the disabled list. Those losses may be too much for Seattle to overcome.

The Seattle Mariners are a vastly different team than they were last year, but are they better? Either way, this does not appear to be the year that the postseason drought comes to an end.