The Mariners are going for a series victory against their division rivals on Sunday.
After a devastating loss on Friday night, the Seattle Mariners rebounded in a big way on Saturday, defeating the Athletics 19-1 in West Sacramento, Calif.
The M's hit five home runs in the 23-hit attack. Rookie Michael Arroyo hit his first career home run while Randy Arozarena hit his 23rd of the campaign.
Bryan Woo tossed six scoreless innings, giving up just one unearned run.
The Mariners are now 70-79 with 13 games to play. They are five games back of the Houston Astros in the American League, and they are also five games back of the Cleveland Guardians in the battle for the third and final wild card spot.
Though the playoff chances remain slim, they are still there. Here's what you need to know.
What are the playoff odds as of now?
According to Fangraphs, the M's playoff odds are now just over seven percent. That is a two-percent increase over where they were last Thursday, when they were just over five percent.
The wild card race is essentially done. There are too many teams ahead of the Mariners (Guardians, Blue Jays, Rangers, Twins, Orioles), and too many of them play each other down the stretch, meaning it will be extremely hard for the M's to make up substantial ground.
As it has for a while, the division remains the best bet for Seattle. The Mariners are five games back of Houston, and three back of Texas, so they need help on multiple fronts.
Fortunately, the schedule does continue to work out in their favor. But are they good enough to take advantage of it?
Seattle Mariners outfielders Victor Robles (10), Julio Rodriguez (44), and Lazaro Montes (99) celebrate their win against the Athletics at Sutter Health Park. Dennis Lee-Imagn ImagesRemaining schedule for three AL West teams
Mariners
1 @ A's
3 @ Angels
3 @ Rockies
2 vs. Houston
4 vs. Angels
*A nine-game road trip (including the two already played vs. the A's) is never fun, but the M's don't see a team with a winning record on it, and the Rockies and Angels have the worst records in their respective leagues. If Seattle can get to three games back of the Astros by the time they play each other, you'd have to feel somewhat hopeful about their chances.
The Mariners have the tiebreaker against the Astros, but not against the Rangers, meaning they really need to make up four games against Texas.
Astros
1 @ Rays
3 vs. Royals
3 vs. Braves
2 @ Mariners
4 @ A's
Rangers
1 @ Diamondbacks
3 vs. Red Sox
3 vs Blue Jays
3 vs. Mets
3 @ Twins
Up next
The Mariners and Athletics finish their series at 1:10 p.m. PT on Sunday. Bryce Miller takes the mound against Jacob Lopez.
