5 Mariners players who could get the team to the playoffs

As the season winds down, reality is starting to set in. This team, in a surprisingly disappointing AL West division, blew what was a prime opportunity to stake their claim as the new division leader. A massive 10 game lead gave Mariners fans a ton of optimism, but many came to the realization that it may not be so easy. The offense continued to struggle, the Houston Astros surged, and the bullpen was forced to work extra hard (particularly Andres Munoz).

With just a handful of games left, the Mariners can likely only lose one or two more games, while needing some help from other American League teams. Seattle certainly has the talent to do it, and if certain players can get hot and carry this team, Mariners fans could be blessed with October baseball. After the Yankees series, Seattle will have just nine games to make up enough ground to make their second playoff appearance in the last three years. If they hope to do that, they will need some players to really step up.

Bryan Woo needs to get back on track to get Seattle to the postseason

Without a doubt, the strength of this Mariners team lies in the pitching. A starting rotation that is easily a top 3 unit in the game, pairs well with one of the best closers in baseball. The youthfulness that this group possesses is entertaining to watch, but perhaps none more than Bryan Woo.

Woo's season got off to a rough start as there were some serious concerns about his elbow and many fans started thinking about the dreaded "Tommy John surgery", or the possibility that he might need to move to the bullpen. After returning from the injured list, Woo has been neck and neck with Gilbert as the team's best starter. Though his 110.1 innings don't compare to the workhorse that Gilbert has been (191.2 innings pitched), Woo has been electric with one of the best fastballs in the game. His 2.85 ERA and miniscule .9 BB/9 are some of the best numbers in the game.

Woo had a rough start to open the series against the Yankees but will still make two more appearances versus the Rangers and to open the series against the Athletics. Woo has made three career starts against the Rangers and has only been able to work through nine total innings, giving up a total of 12 runs.

He has yet to face them this year, but hopefully he will be better this year, as the 2024 Rangers offense is vastly different than last year's juggernaut squad that slugged their way to a World Series. Woo has absolutely dominated the A's in his career with just a .68 ERA in 26.1 innings. Hopefully the Mariners still have something to play for during his last start, as Woo could dominate Oakland yet again. If Seattle hopes to clinch another playoff spot, Woo is going to have to be excellent in his two remaining starts.

A potential rookie, high-leverage reliever could play a massive role in Seattle clinching a playoff spot

What looked like it could be on the deepest positions the Mariners had, quickly lacked depth and certainty. Injuries to both Matt Brash and Gregory Santos have forced a lot of pressure on Andres Munoz while inserting other guys into more high leverage spots than they should be. Guys like Trent Thornton, Austin Voth and Collin Snider have all been good to varying degrees, but they are better suited in the mid-leverage spots. The team has really needed another late-inning guy as Munoz has carried the loan.

Insert 22-year-old, UC Irvine pitcher, Troy Taylor. The Mariners have seemingly found another solid reliever in the six-foot righty with mid-to-upper 90's heat and a devastating slider. The Mariners actually drafted Taylor twice (the 20th round in 2021, and the 12th round in 2022). Taylor dominated in his time in the minor leagues and after just 88 innings, Seattle knew that Taylor was ready for the big leagues, and he has looked poised to take on a massive role. In just 13.2 innings, Taylor has 15 strikeouts while walking just three. His 1.98 ERA is impressive as relievers can really struggle to acclimate to the pressures of being a major league reliever.

With how nasty Taylor is, he, along with Munoz and Snider, will need to make up a sort of "three-headed monster" over the final week of baseball. Taylor may be just 22, but at this point in the year (and with an already inexperienced bullpen), you just need your best stuff out there every night, and Taylor is certainly in that category.