The Mariners (in all likelihood) aren't going to the playoffs, but there are reasons to root for them to play well down the stretch.
The Seattle Mariners kick off their final week of the regular season on Tuesday night when they host the Houston Astros at T-Mobile Park.
At 73-83, the Mariners enter these final six games with a 0.2 percent chance of making the playoffs, but they could be eliminated as early as Tuesday.
Some fans are rooting for the Mariners to bottom out in these final six games: Because they'd like to see better draft lottery odds, because they want it to be easier to move on from manager Dan Wilson, and because they hope that an even more embarrassing season will spur the ownership group into action this offseason.
I get all of that, and a lot of it does make sense, but I can't bring myself to do it.
I want the Mariners to win as many of these six games as possible. I want my emotional investment in this team paid off more than it has been for 156 games. I want my time rewarded. I want my energy rewarded.
I want Rick Rizzs, who has been the Voice of the Mariners for four-fifths of franchise history, to go out on what passes for a high note in this season, his final season behind the microphone. And yes, I want to bury the Astros from the playoff race.
The Astros enter this series at 77-79 and three games behind the Chicago White Sox in the battle for the American League wild card. They are one game behind the Texas Rangers in the American League West.
The Mariners can't officially eliminate the Astros in these two games, but they can severely impact their playoff chances. And for a franchise that has tormented the Mariners for nearly 15 years at this point, that's about as good a consolation prize as you're going to get in this really difficult M's season.
About the matchup
The two teams will square off at 6:40 p.m. PT as right-hander Cristian Javier (2-6, 5.31 ERA) pitches against Logan Gilbert (12-10, 3.69 ERA).
It could be the final start of the season for Gilbert, who will be heading into his final year under contract in 2027.
He could start on Sunday against the Los Angeles Angels, however.
Of note
The latest edition of the 'Refuse to Lose Territory' podcast is out, talking about the M's over the final six games, Kade Anderson's historic start on Sunday and much more, including if the M's should refresh their uniforms in the offseason.
You can listen here, or you can watch in the YouTube player below.
