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How the Mariners fit into the playoff picture at the MLB halfway point
We are at the halfway mark of the season, which is crazy because it felt like the season just started. Here's how the Mariners fit into the playoff picture
The season is halfway over, which is always a wild marker because if never feels like it should be here already. It feels like last week that we were looking at the first quarter mark, yet here we are with half of the season in the books already for some teams. It makes for a good time to take a look around baseball and see how the playoff picture looks. If the postseason were to start today, here's who would be moving on, and here's how the Mariners would fit in.
NL East
1st place team: Philadelphia Phillies (51-26)
The Philadelphia Phillies are one of the best teams in the MLB. They are a true contender for the World Series. Led by one of the best rotations and the deepest lineups in baseball. They have dominated the first half. They will also probably add an outfielder at the deadline and be even better.
2nd place team: Atlanta Braves (43-32) 7 GB, WC1 +5.5 games
The Atlanta Braves will definitely be in the playoffs and will most likely miss the first round bye because of how well the Phillies are doing. Hey, maybe that will help them stay hot in October. They did complain about the bye making them go cold last year.
3rd place team: Washington Nationals (38-39) 13 GB, .5 GB WC3
The Nationals have been a surprise team this year. Led by CJ Abrams, Lane Thomas, and the revival of Jesse Winker. This team is very much in the hunt for the playoffs. Many believe they could be sellers but I am not so sure at this point.
4th place team: New York Mets (37-39) 13.5 GB, 1 GB WC3
Many teams thought that the Mets were done and were going to be sellers of their coveted first baseman Pete Alonso. But ever since Grimace threw out the first pitch, the Mets have been the hottest team in baseball. They might not be sellers after all.
5th place team: Miami Marlins (27-50) 24 GB, 11.5 GB WC3
The Marlins were a playoff team last year but got out of it pretty early this season. Trading Luis Arraez to the Padres in early May. Expect them to completely give up and sell some more players.
NL Central
1st place team: Milwaukee Brewers (45-33)
The Brewers weren't necessarily expected to be leading the division. Craig Counsel darted for the Chicago Cubs in the offseason and they traded Corbin Burnes to the Baltimore Orioles. But somehow they find a way and lead the NL Central.
2nd place team: St. Louis Cardinals (39-37) 5 GB, WC2 +1 games
The St. Louis Cardinals have been average. Nolan Arenado and Paul Goldschmidt have been underperforming all season. A rotation led by Sonny Gray has been a bright spot for the Cardinals. Cardinals should be buyers at the deadline.
3rd place team: Pittsburgh Pirates (37-40) 7.5 GB, 1.5 GB WC3
The Pittsburgh Pirates have been average like the rest of the NL Central. They have two of the best rookie pitchers in Paul Skenes and Jared Jones. They will need some help offensively if they are to make the playoffs.
4th place team: Chicago Cubs (37-41) 8GB, 2 GB of WC3
The Chicago Cubs are battling the Reds for last place in the NL Central and have been underwhelming for most of their fans. Shota Imanaga started the season with historical numbers but has come back to earth lately. Cody Bellinger and Justin Steele both battled injuries so far this year.
5th place team: Cincinnati Reds (36-41) 8.5GB, 2.5 GB WC3
The Reds have one of the most electric players in baseball with Elly De La Cruz but he is about all they have for stars. The Red's rotation has gone from one of the worst in 2023 to top 10 in 2024. They have some good players but I just don't see them sticking around and making the playoffs.
NL West
1st place team: Los Angeles Dodgers (48-31)
Well, this was expected as the Dodgers went out and got Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and Tyler Glasnow in the offseason. But their season hasn't come without adversity, Mookie Betts and
Yoshinobu Yamamoto both went on the IL recently.
2nd place team: San Diego Padres (41-41) 8.5 GB, leader of WC3
The Padres went out and acquired Luis Arraez in early May have been much better than their 2023 team. If they are going to keep that WC spot then they will need Manny Machado to get it going for them. They could also use an arm for their rotation.
3rd place team: Arizona Diamondbacks (38-40) 9.5 GB, 1 GB WC3
The 2023 NL World Series representative has not been as good as many expected them to be. But they did barely sneak into the playoffs last year. The Diamondbacks will have to decide if they will trade players like Christian Walker and Paul Sewald.
4th place team: San Francisco Giants (36-42) 11.5 GB, 3 GB of WC3
The San Francisco Giants in the off season signed Blake Snell, Matt Chapman and Jung Ho Lee. Blake Snell is on the injured list and has not looked like a Cy Young award winner. Jung Ho Lee is out for the year due to a shoulder injury. They could use a bat at the deadline and they will get Robbie Ray back soon.
5th place team: Colorado Rockies (27-51) 20.5 GB, 12 GB WC3
The Colorado Rockies are one of the worst teams in baseball and will be selling some players at the deadline. That Kris Bryant contract has been atrocious for them.
AL East
1st place team: New York Yankees (52-28)
The New York Yankees are one of the most complete teams in baseball. Led by Juan Soto, Aaron Judge, and one of the best rotations in baseball, and oh ya they just got Gerrit Cole back. The New York Yankees are a World Series favorite.
2nd place team: Baltimore Orioles (49-28) 1.5 GB, WC1 + 7.5 games
The Baltimore Orioles are one of the most entertaining teams to watch in baseball. Led by Gunnar Henderson and a young crop of positional players. The Orioles will be searching for another arm to go with Corbin Burnes and Grayson Rodriguez.
3rd place team: Boston Red Sox (42-36) 9 GB, leader of WC3
The Boston Red Sox have been a huge surprise in the AL East this year. Led by Tyler O'Neill, who was acquired in the offseason from the Cardinals. Tanner Houck and this rotation have finally found it. They will have to decide if they want to be sellers or buyers at the deadline.
4th place team: Tampa Bay Rays (38-40) 14 GB, 4 GB of WC3
The Tampa Bay Rays always find a way to be in the hunt for the playoffs but is this the year they sell players like Randy Arozarena, Yandy Diaz, and Isaac Paredes to recoup for 2025.
5th place team: Toronto Blue Jays (35-42) 15.5 GB, 6.5 GB of WC3
The Toronto Blue Jays have been a disappointment in 2024. A playoff team in 2023, many believe they will be sellers while players like Vlad Guerrero Jr, and Bo Bichette could be on another team by the end of the season.
AL Central
1st place team: Cleveland Guardians (49-26)
The Cleveland Guardians lost Shane Bieber to Tommy John surgery early in the season. That hasn't stopped them from being one of the better teams in the AL. Jose Ramirez, Josh Naylor and Steven Kwan have all been very important in their success. They will look to add a SP at the deadline.
2nd place team: Minnesota Twins (43-35) 7.5 GB, WC2 +1 games
The Minnesota Twins are what everyone expected, being good but not great, they have a decent lineup and a decent starting rotation. But they might have found a star in Royce Lewis if he can stay healthy.
3rd place team: Kansas City Royals (42-37) 9 GB, .5 GB WC3
The Kansas City Royals have been a major surprise this year. Bobby Witt Jr. continues to be a superstar and Salvador Perez is back to being one of the better-hitting catchers in the league. The main reason for their success has been their rotation led by Seth Lugo and Cole Ragans.
4th place team: Detroit Tigers (36-41) 14 GB, 5.5 GB of WC3
The Detroit Tigers are an up and coming team and I think they will be a playoff team in a couple years. Riley Greene seems like the real deal and Jack Flaherty has bounced back in a big way in 2024. They will be sellers and I could see Flaherty being traded.
5th place team: Chicago White Sox (21-58) 30 GB, 21.5 GB of WC3
The Chicago White Sox are the worst team in baseball. Many people believe they are open to trading Luis Robert Jr. and Garrett Crochet. cough *Seattle* cough
AL West
1st place team: Seattle Mariners (45-35)
The Seattle Mariners have the best rotation in baseball and one of the worst offenses in baseball. They need Julio Rodriguez to be the star that he was the last two years. They also need Jorge Polanco, Mitch Garver, and Mitch Haniger to get it going in the second half. Jerry Dipoto will acquire a bat or two before the trade deadline.
2nd place team: Houston Astros (38-40) 6 GB, 4 GB of WC3
The Houston Astros have not been the Houston Astros that we normally see. They are usually led by dominant starting pitching but they have battled many injuries this year. They still have one of the best offenses in baseball. Watch out because they could get hot and catch the Mariners.
3rd place team: Texas Rangers (37-40) 6.5 GB, 4.5 GB of WC3
The 2023 World Series Champions have struggled mightily in 2024. Their rotation has been one of the worst in baseball and their offense has been streaky. Adolis Garcia has not been what he was in 2023. They will make some moves and getting Josh Jung back will help their offense.
4th place team: Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (30-46) 13 GB, 11 GB of WC3
This is the same old Angels team. Mike Trout and Anthony Rendon on the IL and a bad rotation. The Angels need a full rebuild.
5th place team: Oakland Athletics (29-51) 16 GB. 14 GB of WC3
The Oakland Athletics were actually surprisingly good to start the season. But their owner doesn't care about them and the city of Oakland, as they are on the verge of moving to Las Vegas. They will be sellers at the deadline.
MLB Playoff Picture if season ended today
National League
1. Philadelphia Phillies (First round bye)
2. Los Angeles Dodgers (First round bye)
3. Milwaukee Brewers vs. 6. San Diego Padres
4. Atlanta Braves vs 5. St. Louis Cardinals
American League
1. Cleveland Guardians (First round bye)
2. New York Yankees (First round bye)
3. Seattle Mariners vs. 6. Boston Red Sox
4. Baltimore Orioles vs 5. Minnesota Twins