Mariners Finally in the Postseason?

As we get closer to the MLB Postseason and watching all these pennant chase matchups, we are just 38 days until the match-ups are set for the Wild Cards and Division Series. As of August 26and the publication of this blog, here are the teams that would make it if the season were to end today.

AL:

1. Astros

2. Red Sox

3. Indians

4. Yankees

5. Mariners

NL:

1. Dodgers

2. Nationals

3. Cubs

4. Rockies

5. Diamondbacks

See something rare? It just so happens that for the first time in 16 years, the Seattle Mariners are in the Postseason Picture. You heard me right, MARINERS, POSTSEASON. The last time the Emerald City was in the Postseason, they came off of a Wild Card berth the year prior, but lost to the eventual three-peat World Champion Yankees in the 2000 ALCS. They had their best record in franchise history with 116-46; tying the 1906 Cubs for the most wins in baseball history. However, the Mariners came up short losing to the Yankees again in the 2001 ALCS 4-1 and 3 games short of Seattle's first pennant.

16 years later, things have changed. The Mariners now have AL All-Star Game winner in Robinson Cano and home run hitter Kyle Seager. As of now they have a 66-64 record and are just a half game behind the Twins for the second Wild Card spot in the AL. After the Mariners finish the series finale in The Bronx with the Yankees, they have an easy road to the Wild Card and an easy end of August heading into September as they head off to Baltimore for a three game set with the Orioles, and then they head back home for a three game series against the A's before they host the AL best Astros.

With this AL race heating up into the final month of the season, it is going to come down to which teams can win down the stretch. All the teams in these Wild Card races will fight and battle until the end. But only the MLB's best teams can punch their tickets into October. And for those who don't will have to wait another year to go at it again.