Mariners Roundtable: Can the M’s Make the Playoffs in 2016?

Nick Lee – @NickLee51
AL West Standings
1. Houston Astros
2. Seattle Mariners
3. Texas Rangers
4. Los Angeles Angels
5. Oakland Athletics
Mariners record: 85-77
The Mariners should be much improved from last year’s fiasco. They look faster and more built to succeed at Safeco Field. The only concern is the health and depth of the bullpen. If they can maintain a steady bullpen, this should be a team that will play meaningful games into September. GM Jerry Dipoto seems to have built the team smarter not sexier, like last season. If the team improves their on-base percentage and gets offensive production from more players than just Nelson Cruz and Kyle Seager, this team will compete at least for a Wild Card spot. There are a lot of “ifs” this season but my pick is that they will make the playoffs and it will be via the Wild Card game.
Next: Chad also sees the M's playing in the wildcard game