Seattle Mariners channeling 19th century magic

One of the hallmarks of the Seattle Mariners was their ability to win close ballgames. They won a major league best 33 one run games last year, helping them reach the 90 win mark despite a -51 run differential. The Mariners were expected to win just 76 games last season as their success in one run games made a major difference.

That success is continuing this year. The Mariners won their 26th one run game Tuesday night, slipping by the Yankees 1-0 in 13 innings. Those 26 one run wins are four more than the Blue Jays for the most in the majors this season.

Seattle Mariners continuing one run ballgame magic

Should this run of success continue, the Mariners would do something that had not been seen since the 19th century. As pointed out by the StatsBySTATS Twitter account, the last team to lead the majors in one run victories in consecutive seasons was the Cincinnati Reds – in 1897 and 1898.

Success in one run games did not matter much to the Reds. They finished fourth in the National League in 1897 and third in 1898 as they were far behind the division leader. The playoffs also did not exist at the time, so all the Reds really had to look forward to was an attempt to win the NL pennant.

That is not the case with the Mariners. They are currently in possession of one of the Wild Card berths, locked in a battle with seven teams that are separated by four games for a spot in the postseason. For the Mariners, holding on to one of the Wild Cards would mark their first postseason appearance since 2001.

The Mariners’ success in these close games bodes well down the stretch. They will need those clutch moments and the ability to rise to the occasion as the season winds down. Those one run games could be the difference between finally snapping that run of futility or heading back home for October once again.

The Seattle Mariners are on pace to do something that has not happened since the 19th century. It could lead to a return to the playoffs.