Opening Day just feels different for World Series hopeful Mariners this year

With just six playoff appearances in 49 years and as the only active Major League franchise never to play in the World Series, there hasn't often been much reason to cheer for the Seattle Mariners. However, after coming closer than ever last season to clinching a berth in the Fall Classic, the team enters the 2026 campaign with genuine reason for optimism.

Admittedly it was a weird spring between the poor Cactus League showing, the whole Cal Raleigh-Randy Arozarena Handshakegate drama, and even the lingering injuries to J.P. Crawford and Bryce Miller. However, when was the last time a Mariners team was firmly in "World Series or bust" mode ahead of Opening Day?

Some might make the case that it was as recently as 2023 after the team's first playoff run in 21 years, but it still felt like they were underdogs at that time, even just in their division thanks to those dastardly Houston Astros. For us, we would probably go back to 2002, following their Major League record-equalling 116-win season.

We're talking about a truly talented and deep Mariners roster

Irrespective, this just seems like a complete roster in terms of both talent and depth, led by two genuine superstars in Raleigh and Julio Rodríguez, along with a rotation which has a ceiling as the best in baseball. There's three other All-Star-level players in the lineup, the bullpen has been improved, while the farm system is so strong the likes of Colt Emerson (definitely) and Ryan Sloan (possibly) are in line to make their Major League debuts this season.

Plenty of the main sports media outlets are predicting the Mariners will represent the AL in the World Series, including the likes of MLB.com, ESPN and FanGraphs. Heck, The Athletic even goes as far as saying they will win the whole 'effing' thing. (Shout out to the original 1989 Major League movie and the ever so gracious Mr. Raleigh.)

This must all seem extremely surreal to Mariners fans so used to disappointment and heartbreak, to the point they might even be wondering if they're now living in some type of alternate reality. However, they better believe it, with the expectations and goals permeating through to the players themselves, with Raleigh and Rodríguez leading the charge in saying there's no longer any excuses to fail and openly talking about the World Series.

Bryce Miller speaks for how the whole Mariners team feels ahead of the 2026 season

Miller was asked about the team's mindset in 2026 and his response was telling. As per Mike Vorel of The Seattle Times, he said: "Expectations are different. It’s no longer, ‘We should win the West,’ or ‘Hopefully we’re in the playoffs.’ Now it’s like, ‘We’re going to win the West.’ That’s the standard. We’re going to get deep, and we’re going to make a run."

Look, we get it. Mariner fans have more cause than most to be cautious with their optimism. This is a team which always seems to find a way to disappoint the fanbase even when everything is seemingly set up for success, so it makes sense they would ask what could possible go wrong this time?

However, this time the vibes are different, more real, with the type of team Mariners fans have been dreaming of having for the longest time since the days of Ken Griffey Jr., Randy Johnson and (yes, even) Alex Rodriguez. If that still isn't enough to get you excited for what lies ahead, then perhaps you need to check and make sure you have a pulse, because this has all the makings of a truly special 50th season in Seattle.