In a recent episode of the "Refuse to Lose Territory" podcast, Buster Olney provided some insight on what the Mariners can do to separate from the cluttered AL.
The Seattle Mariners were able to pull off one of their most impressive series wins of the season against the Atlanta Braves in a three-game set that took place from May 4-6 at T-Mobile Park in Seattle.
The Mariners won games one and three of the series and handed the Braves the latter's first series loss of the season in the process.
Despite taking the series, Seattle will still enter the first of a three-game series against the Chicago White Sox on Friday with a losing record (18-20).
Despite owning a losing record, the Mariners, like a good chunk of the American League, are still right in the thick of the playoff spot.
Seattle is 1.5 games behind the Athletics (19-18) for first place in the American League West.
If the season were to end today, the Mariners would have the second of three wild card spots. The Tampa Bay Rays (25-12) and Detroit Tigers (18-20) would have the other two wild card spots.
Currently the Rays and the American League East-leading New York Yankees (26-12) are the only teams in the AL more than two games over .500.
New York Yankees designated hitter Ben Rice runs the bases after hitting a home run during a game against the Seattle Mariners on April 1 at T-Mobile Park in Seattle. | Steven Bisig/Imagn Images.Given the congestion in the AL, outside of Tampa Bay and New York, there's a big enough opening for several teams to separate themselves from the rest of the pack.
In a recent episode of the "Refuse to Lose Territory" podcast, ESPN insider Buster Olney mentioned how Seattle can gain a healthy lead over its competition.
"I think the best way to describe them is 'classic American League team,'" Olney said. "I think if you look at it from 30,000 feet, the Yankees are a great team. There's no getting around that and they're going to get better here. Because they're getting Carlos Rodon back and they're gonna get Gerrit Cole back. I've watched the Rays quite a bit. They have played well. Their pitching is excellent and besides that, it is a complete mosh pit. In some respects, the American League, you could call it the land of opportunity. Because you have about 10 teams that are below .500 but within five games of .500. You could have teams like Kansas City, for example — woke up today and they've had so many issues, up and down, that sort of thing — they're a game-and-a-half out of first place. The Mariners, with one good week, they could separate themselves from the pack in the American League West. It's so mediocre. It really comes down to — there's six playoff spots in each league now — digging yourself out, getting more consistent and can you begin to separate yourself from this massive pack of mediocrity right now in the American League?
The full podcast can be listened to below:
The Mariners will begin a seven-game road trip with the first of a three-game series against the Chicago White Sox at 4:40 p.m. PT on Friday at Guaranteed Rate Field in Chicago.
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