By Paul Taylor Posted on

Mariners’ playoff hopes fading following rough Athletics series

The Athletics series saw the Mariners continue their season-long trend of underperforming, and yet even now there remains SOME hope.

For one day at least, everything seemed well for the Mariners as they beat the Athletics 2-0 on Sunday afternoon. Bryan Woo pitched a career-high 8.0 scoreless innings, in the process allowing just one hit and two walks while striking out nine over 102 pitches. However, one day does not make up for what was a poor four-game series by the team in general.

The Mariners entered their four-game home set versus the Athletics sitting 5.0 games back of the Astros at the top of the division and 4.5 games out of the final AL wild card spot. However, hopes were high due to having the easiest schedule in the majors the rest of the way. Their final stretch of 22 games included 17 versus the A’s, Angels and Rockies, who combined for the three worst records in baseball.

Throw in two more games at home against the Astros to potentially help close the gap, and hope was genuine that the Mariners could overcome an underwhelming season, and still find a way to make the playoffs. However, the series versus the Athletics instead showcased more of how disappointing this team has been in 2026. A team which entered the season predicted by many to represent the American League in the World Series and maybe … just maybe … win their first ever championship.

To be clear, the Mariners may well still find a way to qualify for the playoffs. However, there’s no getting around the reality their chances are fading fast, after losing three of their four contests against the Athletics. Now down to just 18 games, they sit 6.0 games of both the AL West summit and final wild card spot.

So much about the Athletics series highlighted the Mariners’ issues in 2026

In many ways, the series versus the Athletics served to encapsulate all the struggles the Mariners have encountered in 2026. Everything which could go wrong did, including suffering even more bad luck on the injury front as they lost Matt Bash for the rest of the season. Among other things:

  • The Mariners struck out a season-high 18 times in Thursday’s series opener, while also stranding 14 baserunners.
  • Kade Anderson struggled in that same game with his command and velocity, with the toughest of his three Major League outings to date.
  • Logan Gilbert had 10 strikeouts on Friday night, but set an unwanted Mariners franchise mark by allowing four home runs in one inning, which was also one off the Major League record.
  • Saturday’s 6-2 loss served as one of the most lethargic performances of the year, as the M’s managed just two hits and no runs over 7.0 innings against the AL’s worst starting pitcher in Jeffrey Springs.
  • Lazaro Montes was until to build on his tremendous two-hit, one-home run debut versus the Red Sox, going just 1-for-10 against the Athletics over four games (although that hit was at least for an RBI).
  • More generally speaking, there were more examples of avoidable mental errors, a lack of hustle and poor support from the bullpen.

About to find out what this M’s team is made of

Where the Mariners go from here, is anyone’s guess. A team which has been famed in recent seasons for being better in the second half, has been the opposite. A team which is one of only four to have 85+ wins in the past five years, will be fortunate to finish .500 in 2026.

And yet … and yet there’s still some hope, even now, even though it’s fading more and more with every passing day. The remaining schedule still stands as the number one reason to not completely give up on the Mariners just yet. As Woo said following Sunday’s game:

“Just stay with us man. I mean everything you feel, we feel tenfold. I know it’s not the perfect season, but just keep showing up every day, give it everything you’ve got, fight to the last and give it everything man. That’s all you can do.”

Inspiring words from Woo for sure, with you getting the feeling they were just as much … if not more … for the players. It was reported that they had a behind closed doors meeting following Saturday’s loss, and we now all wait to see how much this helps the rest of the way. Now, more than ever, we’re about to find out what this team is made of.

Photos court​‌esy of Tim Rogers Photography

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