The Seattle Mariners are making moves to strengthen their team. Could they really have a chance at catching the Astros
With even a playoff berth seeming good enough for Mariners fans who haven’t witnessed one in nearly 20 years, winning the division would be an added bonus.
As they send left-handed starter James Paxton to the mound on Monday night, he is set to oppose Gerrit Cole of the division-leading Houston Astros. The Astros who are losers of four-straight, lead the division by only four games over the M’s. They have scuffled since returning after the all-star break and need to get on track. They were swept by the last-place Rangers over the weekend which they struggled offensively. They have no time to recover as the face the Mariners who are creeping up on them in the standings.
The Mariners will have their shot at the division title with 13 remaining games still remaining versus the Astros. With a 3-game series set for this weekend, they will face the likes of Gerrit Cole, Dallas Keuchel, and Charlie Morton. It certainty will be a challenge with all three starters being regarded among the league’s elite. For the Mariners, starters James Paxton, Wade Leblanc, and Mike Leake will have to out-duel them. All while having to deal with the young and talented lineup the Astros have put together.
It would still be a shock if the Mariners were able to complete the comeback and overtake first place at the end of the season. The Astros have posted a league-best +179 run differential while the M’s hold a -3 mark despite being 19 games above .500. On paper the contest isn’t even close with Houston leading the way in every phase of the game. Yet the race in the standings has stayed within range. And with the Oakland A’s only two games behind the M’s for the final Wild Card spot, the chance that either team from the AL West misses the playoffs is a legitimate possibility.
The Seattle Mariners have been working to lengthen out their bullpen for a shot at the postseason. Could they do more than just the Wild Card??