How To Catch Mariners Playoff Fever

As Seahawks fever begins to ramp up in Seattle, lets remember to pay attention to the team across the street. There is still a week of baseball left for us fans, and it’s time to start spreading Mariners playoff fever throughout the Emerald City.

It’s looking like there’s still an outside chance that the Mariners could make the postseason this year. It’s not going to be easy, but stringing a few wins together is at the very least going to make things interesting for the next five days. The Mariners are going to wrap up their series in Toronto before coming home for their final homestand of the season against everyone’s favorite cherubs from LA.

So lets get amped up for the last week of the season, let’s get on up and proclaim our love for the boys in blue (teal), and lets spread Mariners Playoff Fever all over Seattle. Here’s a few tips to get you started.

1. Watch the Scoreboards

At this point in the game, the Mariners need more than just a few wins to get into the post season. They’re going to need help from a few other teams. The Royals, A’s and Tigers are all within reach for the Mariners as we round the corner to the finish line. That means that every day there are four games that you, as a Mariners fan, have a vested interest in.

Personally, I set my MLB app on my phone to send me live updates on Royals, A’s and Tigers games. It’s awesome to have so much baseball to keep up with, and those east coast games start early, meaning I can go wall-to-wall baseball most days.

I always include a playoff wrap-up in Series Preview posts, which is a great way to keep up with who is playing where, and which teams we want to win. (Spoiler, it’s not the Royals, A’s or Tigers).

2. Hit the Bars

Baseball has taken a back seat to football in Seattle for the last few years, but that doesn’t mean the fans don’t exist anymore. Why not head out to the local establishments to grab some beers with other fans for these last few games? As an added bonus, you can appease a nagging spouse by doing more than sitting on the couch watching baseball all night, but maybe that’s just a personal problem.

Tonight’s Mariners game in Toronto starts at 4:07 pm PDT, which is ideal time for you to cut out of work and take a few buddies to the pub around the corner to chill out after a long day and watch some baseball. That 4 o’clock start also lets you drink with the boys with the benefit of being home in time to tuck the kids into bed.

Can’t make it tonight? Take an extended lunch tomorrow for the 1:00 pm start!

Nothing breeds excitement more than sharing (or commiserating) with other fans. So make an excuse to get out of the house this week and cheer on the M’s from your favorite watering hole.

3. Swag Up

10thMan #HuntForTealOctober

The Mariners Fever infection can start with just one person, but spreads very quickly given the right conditions. The most obvious sign that you’ve caught Mariners Fever is that you’ll be wearing some form of teal shirt.

How else will anyone know you’re a Mariners fan unless you rock that sweet teal and blue hoodie?

I myself have three different shirts and a jersey that have been in the rotation for the last week. Not to mention the bullpen full of hats I cycle through. Have you got an old Jesus Montero jersey tucked way back in the depths of your closet? Break it out! Don’t be ashamed! You can rest easy knowing that I’m out there somewhere rolling around in a tattered Brandon League shirt. Shameless.

4. Spread the Word

Mariners talk, non stop. That’s the key to riling up the troops.

Obviously you’ll want to start your quest for knowledge here at Sodo Mojo, but there’s lots of other ways to feed your hunger for Mariners news. When you finish with that, spread the infection by telling your friends just how close this Wild Card race is going to be.

Hang out at the water cooler for 15 minutes and talk everyone’s ears off about Robbie’s batting stats, or King Felix’s shot at a second Cy Young award.

Much like swagging up, talking Mariners all day, every day is one of the most effective ways to spread Mariners Fever. Seattlites can sometimes be reserved and quiet, tap into that Seahawks volume and use it to announce your fandom.

5. Get to the Stadium

This should go without saying.

Attendance at the Mariners v. Oakland series a few weeks ago was incredible, the M’s brought in over one hundred thousand fans (101,929 for the weekend). That’s huge for a team that only managed to bring in 31,000 the same weekend a year ago.

I’m not sure about you, but I think a 300% increase in attendance is a remarkable improvement.

This weekend we’re also treated to a few fun activities. Friday is fan appreciation night, where the M’s are going to be giving away cruises and prizes all night, and then Sunday we should be treated to the last Felix day of the regular season.

So get out to the ballpark and show your true colors this weekend, (it had better be blue….or teal).

1. Watch the Scoreboards

2. Hit the Bars

3. Swag Up

4. Spread the Word

5. Get to the Stadium

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