Are Expanded Playoffs Coming, and Does it Help the Mariners?

The Mariners’ side of expanded playoffs

For Mariners fans, wanting more playoff teams is practically a no-brainer. Having a greater chance at making the playoff and ending the drought of over 20 years now would be huge. In 2020, they almost made the playoffs in the 16 team format. Under a 12 team playoff format, they would have finished just one game out of the Blue Jays to miss just a bit again. With a 14 team playoff format, there would be 7 teams from each league. In 2021, the Mariners had the 7th best record.

The Mariners had a remarkable season last year and will have to keep adding to their roster to be a more legit playoff team. They traded for Adam Frazier and signed Robbie Ray, but they still have some holes to fill. Mariners fans should be rooting for more playoff teams after this lockout ends. Mariners fans should be salivating over the chance to make the playoff for the first time since 2001.

The lockout is a huge unknown for everyone, but it is reportedly a guarantee that this won’t take away any games. It is too hard to tell when this lockout ends because the 2020 health and safety protocols were decided through ugly negotiations by both sides.

Mariners fans should be thrilled at the potential for a greater chance at the playoffs, it would be a huge boost for team support and it could help return the city to its days when baseball king of the sports teams in Seattle.