AL Wild Card Standings: Mariners just brought a new villain back from the dead

The Seattle Mariners' sweep at the hands of the Tampa Bay Rays this week was bad enough, but the Rays closing in on the Mariners' hold of the final AL Wild Card spot makes it even worse. The Mariners just brought Tampa Bay back from the dead.

Here's the current AL Wild Card Standings:

• 1st WC: New York Yankees: 78-63 (+5.0 games)
• 2nd WC: Boston Red Sox: 78-64 (+4.5)
• 3rd WC: Seattle Mariners: 73-68 (0)
• 1st Pursuer: Texas Rangers: 73-69 (-0.5)
• 2nd Pursuer: Kansas City Royals: 72-69 (-1.0)
• 3rd Pursuer: Tampa Bay Rays: 71-70 (-2.0)
• 4th Pursuer: Cleveland Guardians: 70-70 (-2.5)

It sure looks like the third wild card it's anyone's spot. Between Seattle, Texas, Kansas City, Tampa Bay and Cleveland, whichever team gets hot during the final three weeks of the season will claim it.

The Mariners have seen a comeback contender like the Rays before

Last year, the Detroit Tigers came back from the dead to steal the third Wild Card Spot by one game over the Mariners. Seattle may not have realized it at the time, but their sweep at the hands of the Tigers from August 13-15 was a huge momentum boost for the latter. The Mariners entered that series with a 7.0-game lead over Detroit, and left Detroit with a 4.0-game lead.

Of course, that lead did not last long. Detroit surged, the Mariners were stagnant, and it was the Tigers, not the Mariners, taking on the Houston Astros in the AL Wild Card Series.

This series against Tampa Bay feels oddly reminiscent. The Rays had already won three straight before the M's came to town, and after their sweep, they extended their winning streak to seven with a win over Cleveland.

The Mariners entered the series against Tampa with a 5.5-game lead over the Rays in the Wild Card chase, but left Tampa Bay with a 2.5-game lead. Now, that lead is even narrower.

The bottom line is that things are starting to look dicey in Seattle. The Mariners' playoff chances are slipping away with every loss, and it is teams like the Rays who are looking to take advantage in every way they can.