The Seattle Mariners enter play on Thursday with a tenuous grip on the third and final wild card spot in the American League. They are trying to make the playoffs for the first time since 2022 and are hoping to win the American League West for the first time since 2001.

They are within shouting distance of the Houston Astros in the American League West, while the Texas Rangers, Kansas City Royals and Tampa Bay Rays are all hovering around them in the wild card race.

And while the end of this season obviously takes priority, it's never too early to look ahead to the 2026 campaign, as Major League Baseball announced the 2026 schedule on Aug. 26.

Let's break down the schedule, from a few different angles:

For the second consecutive year, the season will begin in March, with the Mariners playing five home games in March against the Cleveland Guardians and New York Yankees.

Seattle will have 17 home games in March and April, compared to 15 road games, so it will be important to take advantage of a front-loaded slate at T-Mobile Park.

Furthermore, the beginning of 2026 will bring several key divisional matchups, as the M's will have a look at each American League West foe in the first month, including four games vs. Houston from April 10-13.

Also, it should be noted that the M's get the home series with the Yankees out of the way early, playing them March 30-April 1.

If the Mariners can make it to September in the playoff race, they'll have a favorable draw down the stretch. While offseason moves, free agency and injuries can obviously change the outlook for teams, Seattle will have a nice stretch where they will play the Athletics, Angels and Colorado Rockies in 13 of 16 games.

The Mariners will end the season at home, with six consecutive games against the Astros and Angels. But a two-game series with Houston from Sept. 22-23 could certainly make for an anxious final week.

The entire month of August is an absolute gauntlet, so the M's better hope they've built up a bit of a buffer before then. Eight consecutive home games start the month against the Minnesota Twins, Detroit Tigers and Tampa Bay Rays, but then it's off for a brutal nine-game road trip against the Yankees, Astros and Milwaukee Brewers.

After the Mariners return home? It doesn't get any easier, as they'll see the Chicago Cubs, and Philadelphia Phillies before heading out on the road again to Toronto and Boston.

As of now, 22 of 27 games in August will be played against teams who are currently in a playoff spot.

Because of the 2026 World Cup having a footprint in Seattle, the Mariners will have an atypical schedule in parts. There is a scheduled doubleheader against the Boston Red Sox on June 20, and a mid-series off day against the Angels on Wednesday, July 1.

The 2025 Mariners will continue their playoff push on Friday afternoon against the Atlanta Braves.