Mariners Analysis: What The Next Two Weeks Mean

Jun 22, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Mariners right fielder Mark Trumbo (35) reacts after striking out during the eighth inning against the Kansas City Royals at Safeco Field. Kansas City defeated Seattle, 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

At 34-42 through 76 games, the Mariners have done themselves no favors in 2015. The M’s have tread water enough to remain 9.0 games out in the American League West and 7.0 out in the chase for a wild card spot. But make no mistake, the Mariners season rests on their play in the next two weeks — the two weeks heading into the all-star game.

The Mariners open a two-game set tomorrow with the Padres in San Diego. The Padres are also disappointing this year, playing to a 37-41 record, and the M’s have traditionally played well against the Padres. The Mariners then travel to Oakland for a four-game set against the A’s, who have surged recently, but are still in last place in the division.

Six games against sub-.500 teams are a good chance to get off the deck for the Mariners, and toppling Oakland could help the M’s gain some separation from the basement of the division.

After that, the Mariners return home for three against the AL Central’s Tigers, who are just 39-36, before another series at home with the mediocre Angels (39-37) heading into the break.

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Those four opponents are a cumulative nine games under .500 and could provide the M’s the chance they need to get back into the race.

Make no mistake, if the M’s can’t salvage these next two weeks, the season is all but done. The all-star break comes after the Mariners will have played 89 total games, so they won’t have a half season left to turn it around. Furthermore, the M’s open the “second-half” on the road against the Yankees and Tigers, two tough opponents, and even tougher on the road.

If they can’t make a move in the next two weeks, they can’t make one. The good news is, Hisashi Iwakuma should be back relatively soon and can help the decimated starting rotation. Maybe Cruz, Cano, and Seager will all find their grooves.

This is the time.

Go M’s.

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