Seattle Mariners: 5 (Semi) Bold Predictions for 2019

5. The Mariners Finish Second in the AL West

Always save the best for last. Yesterday, I made the claim that as of March 10, 2019, neither the Oakland A’s or Los Angeles Angels are significantly more talented than the Mariners and I actually believe that.

Now, I’m not saying that the Mariners are the better team of the trio, but I am saying is that there is overlap in the 3 franchises margin of error. The Oakland A’s starting pitching is a mess as is the Angels. Aside from Mike Trout, the Mariners have an answer to every other player on those rosters.

The real separator is the A’s bullpen. Do they have a better bullpen on paper than the Mariners? Absolutely. Does that mean it is a 100% lock that it will be? You guys have watched enough baseball to know that nobody can be sure how a bullpen will look from season to season.

Remember 2014 when the Mariners rode their bullpen all the way to game 162 before falling just shy of the playoffs? Now, do you remember where they brought back the exact same bullpen in 2015 and it was a disaster? Bullpen’s are fickle.

Again, at the end of the day, am I willing to throw down anything of significance to bet the Mariners finish ahead of the Oakland A’s or Angels? No. Largely, because I believe the team will sell, while the Angels and A’s will make additions at the deadline.

But would I be shocked if this happened? No. Pleasantly surprised. But for a bold prediction piece, I feel like that is good enough.

Thanks for reading guys. Be sure to leave your bold predictions in the comment section!