Keys to victory
Close the gap: The AL’s top five run-scoring teams all made the playoffs. The Mariners finished more than 100 runs behind No. 1 – the West champ and eventual World Serieswinning Rangers. So, they swiped Mitch Garver from Texas, brought back old friend Mitch Haniger from San Francisco and traded for Jorge Polanco to play second base. That last move might be most impactful; Seattle second basemen finished 13th and 14th in the AL in OBP (.294) and OPS (.607), while Polanco posted a .789 mark for Minnesota.
Importing Luke Raley from the Rays also gives them platoon options in the outfield and at DH.
Grow old gracefully: With Logan Gilbert and All-Star George Kirby each hitting the 190-inning mark, the Mariners have an imposing and durable front three led by Luis Castillo, who notched a career-high 197 innings last year. Now, can Bryce Miller and Bryan Woo follow suit? They reached 141 and 1322⁄3 innings (including minors) in their rookie seasons, and a seamless leap past the 150-inning mark would give the Mariners
one of the game’s most complete rotations. Beyond top prospect Emerson Hancock, the sixth starter options that might lurk at Class AAA are mostly uninspiring.
Finish: On Sept. 2, the Mariners were 77-58 and held a one-game AL West lead. They lost 16 of 27 games to finish two behind the Rangers and Astros and a game behind the Blue Jays for the final wild card. With the Rangers and Astros showing signs of early-season vulnerability, the division is there for the taking.
–