Heading into Friday’s action, the Seattle Mariners are a virtual lock to the make the postseason for the first time since 2001. However, getting through the regular season with any kind of momentum is proving to be anything but easy for the Mariners as the regular season winds down.
With golden opportunity ahead, can the Seattle Mariners capitalize without Julio Rodríguez in the lineup?
As we discussed in this article, the Seattle Mariners have the easiest remaining schedule of any MLB team, setting up the possibility of the Mariners not only making the postseason, but also moving up in the Wild Card rankings as the Toronto Blue Jays and Tampa Bay Rays (the two teams ahead of the Mariners in the Wild Card standings) each have much more difficult slates, including a four-game series against each other continuing this weekend in St. Petersburg (Tampa Bay’s last home games of the season).
However, while the road ahead looks ahead, it’s been anything but for the Mariners … and could get even more bumpy.
Reports indicate that All-Star outfielder Julio Rodríguez will likely be placed on the 10-day injured list with a back issue. One of the leading candidates to win American League Rookie of the Year, Rodríguez left Thursday’s game against Oakland in the first inning with back tightness. His 5.7 bWAR leads the Mariners this season as he is slashing .280/.342/.502 with 27 home runs and 73 RBI.
The loss of Rodríguez comes on the heels of the Mariners winning just three of their last nine games. However, one of those wins came on Thursday as Seattle (without Rodríguez) stormed back from an early deficit to post a 9-5 win over the A’s.
Seattle manager Scott Servais, knowing his team’s recent play and the pressure that lies ahead, called his team “resilient” after Thursday’s win.
Scott Servais on the Mariners' resiliency today:
— Daniel Kramer (@DKramer_) September 23, 2022
"Our team has been very resilient all year. I know everybody wants to jump off the cliff and we've lost a few games. That's fanbases. I get it. But I think our players very even keeled and understand where we're at."
There will be more days ahead likely where that resiliency will be tested. However, with just 13 games remaining in the regular season, if the Mariners can capitalize on the opportunities ahead and get a healthy Rodríguez back in time for the postseason, Seattle’s first postseason appearance in more than two decades may not be a short one.
UPDATE: Rodríguez is officially on the IL.
Mariners Roster Moves:
— Mariners PR (@MarinersPR) September 23, 2022
🔹 Taylor Trammell, OF, recalled from Triple-A Tacoma.
🔹 Julio Rodríguez, OF, placed on the 10-day Injured List (lower back strain).
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