Seattle Mariners Top-10 Story Lines For 2015

Sep 28, 2014; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Felix Hernandez (34) waves to the fans as he walks off the field after being pulled from the game during the sixth inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports

1. Will the Mariners make the playoffs?

On paper, it would appear they are primed to make their first postseason appearance since the 2001 season. Whether it is as the AL West champs or as a wild-card depends on the rest of the division.

The Athletics appear primed for a down year. The Astros are improved and another year older, but still a few years away from making noise. The Angels will not win 98 games again this year but could still pull 90. The Rangers, if healthy, will make noise but are still less of a team in my opinion than Seattle.

If all goes according to plan, the team stays healthy, the bats come around, the new players contribute the way the team hopes they can, then I see no reason why this team cannot make the playoffs.

They played 162 meaningful games in 2014, having not been eliminated from a postseason berth until the 5th inning of Game 162, at 2:46 pm local time, when the A’s beat the Rangers to clinch their spot.

It was a taste that Mariners fans still haven’t rinsed from their mouths. They want more. And it appears that this 2015 version of the Seattle Mariners, is ready to deliver on that.