Usually I can stay pretty optimistic when it comes to the Mariners. Looking on the bright side of things, finding the light in the darkness, blah blah blah. I couldn't even get through the first paragraph without becoming frusturated once again with the Mariners as I sit here and look at their record and realize what the team has done.
For the first time since April 21st, the Mariners have dropped below .500. They had one of the best runs in baseball... and then had the second worst-run in baseball, which is how we got to where we are now. If you would've had a conversation back on June 18th, I think a sub-500 record would've been very far down on the list of possibilities for what could've happened going forward with the season.
The Mariners had one of the most embarrassing collapses in recent memory
6-10
38-21
25-39
That is your 2024 Mariners. They started the season slow as people were upset with the offseason moves and lack of offense. Then a literal historic run by the pitching staff saw them climb the AL West and start to distance themselves from the competition. By June 18th, the Mariners not only had a 10-game lead in the AL West, but they also had the largest lead of any division leader in baseball.
Now, they're 16.5 games behind where they were at that point. I'm still looking forward to October, but now it's for a completely different reason. This team is going to have some big changes coming (at least one would hope) and it's going to be quite interesting to watch and see what happens in the offseason. Do Jerry and Justin keep their jobs? Do Edgar or Dan get replaced? Does Stanton stand pat and just make them deal with their constraints cause he knows he makes enough money as is from how expensive it is to go watch a game?
We are going to have a lot of those conversations once the season is actually over (even though it feels over today). Offseason plans, best-case scenarios, worst-case scenarios, why you should stick around as a fan... or why you should leave. Things are tough right now, Mariners fans, and it doesn't necessarily look great, especially when you know that Gilbert, Arozarena, or one of the other big-name players could be dealt this offseason. Stay strong, Mariners fans.