SeaSide Thoughts: 5 reasons to still believe in the Mariners

The West is as... as bad as can be

I've been hammering this point for a while, I thought the American League could be the worst we've seen in a decade. While it is early, the New York Yankees, Baltimore Orioles, Cleveland Guardians, and Kansas City Royals are trying hard to prove me wrong. While they have all had fantastic, and in some cases, surprising starts, what has been most surprising is how bad the AL West looks.

Arguably the premier division last year, this year zero teams are above .500 as we near the 20 game mark. The Rangers are currently in first at 9-9 but have gone just 3-7 in their last ten games, and are forced to rush up top pitching prospect Jack Leiter as their arms continue to fall apart to injuries.

The Astros, who are hoping to get Justin Verlander back soon (possibly this Friday), have way more problems than his health, as they sit at just 6-13, and have had their pitching consistently get lit up while the lineup is far too top heavy.

While the Halos and A’s have been more competitive than originally thought, it's clear that they will fade over the course of the season.

The Rangers and Astros look a little fat and happy off past success, wounded, and mortal. A tiger is most dangerous when it is wounded, but we'll find out what their mentality looks like when the Mariners come rolling into Texas the next few weeks. 

The Mariners have been left out of the glory that both of those franchises have experienced lately. If they can capitalize on some of these encouraging signs I've seen lately, the West can be there for the taking, comfortably.