September is looking like the Mariners' last hope to save dismal 2026 season

It proved to be another rough game for the Mariners on Tuesday night, with a depressing familiarity in the way they lost to the Yankees. The 4-1 defeat saw the M's fall to a season-worst eight games below .500, and their playoff chances now look more tenuous than ever. There is some hope down the line in September, but the concern is if they can even hang in there until then.

Apart from still having to somehow navigate two more games versus a Yankees team holding the top AL wild card spot, the Mariners then face four consecutive series versus teams currently in playoff positions. We won't go as far as calling it a murderers' row, but it's pretty damn close with the Astros, Brewers, Cubs and Phillies. And let's not forget the M's just got swept by the Rays.

August just makes for a brutal month in general and yet if the Mariners can somehow find a way to keep themselves within touching distance, September offers genuine, bonafide possibilities. That's because they'll be swapping the likes of the Rays, Yankees and Brewers for the trio of the Athletics, Angels and Rockies. Or as we prefer to put it, 17 games versus the three teams with the worst records in the majors.

Yes, we appreciate the Mariners haven't exactly been good themselves this season, highlighted by a struggling offense which is last in baseball in runs scored per game. Last! However, as bad as it's been in 2026, the M's are at least 31-31 against teams with losing records. It's also encouraging to note they're a combined 8-4 versus the Athletics and Angels specifically.

A look to the past gives more hope for the Mariners' chances of a strong finish to the season

In fairness, the Mariners have done well in recent years during the final month of the season regardless of who they've played against. Between 2021-2025 they have a winning percentage of .582 during September, which is tied for fifth-best in the majors. This has in turn played a significant part in them being one of only four teams with 85+ wins each season over the same time period.

Still, as already mentioned, the Mariners have to find a way to survive the rest of August. In this respect, it sure would help if Carlos Vargas, Matt Brash and Cooper Criswell all return sooner than later to help the bullpen, although Criswell specifically might not be back until early September. And as much as he has been continually criticized, J.P. Crawford would be a welcome sight off the Injured List, both inside and out of the clubhouse.

Let's also keep in mind the Mariners will soon likely have some combination of the talented Kade Anderson, Lazaro Montes and Michael Arroyo to inject some youthful exuberance into the roster. If this all sounds like we're being almost annoyingly hopeful in the face of the current situation, we'll take the criticism squarely on the chin. Just don't dare try to deny you're licking your chops at the prospect of that September schedule.

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