UPDATE: The Seattle Mariners have officially clinched their postseason spot following a thrilling 4-3 comeback victory over the Colorado Rockies on October 3, 2023, thanks to a game-changing three-run double from Josh Naylor. This victory not only secures their place in the playoffs but also keeps them on the brink of a coveted division title, a feat they haven’t achieved since 2001.
The Mariners, having surged back into contention with five straight wins, now sit just one victory away from clinching the American League West. The last time Seattle secured the division, they registered an impressive 116 regular-season wins in 2001. A win on Wednesday or a loss by the Houston Astros could finalize their championship dreams.
Naylor, celebrating in the clubhouse with a cigar, expressed the team’s ambitions: “We wanna do all of ’em — and a big one in the end… with a nice parade around the city.” This victory marks a significant moment for the Mariners, who celebrated their first postseason clinch since 2022.
Seattle’s recent performance is remarkable, coming off a challenging 6-15 stretch. The team has turned the tide, winning 15 of their last 16 games, including a dominant sweep in Houston where they never trailed. Their current momentum has fans buzzing with hope for October baseball.
The Mariners’ rotation, bolstered by strong performances minus Bryan Woo, who is sidelined with a pectoral injury, is firing on all cylinders. Midseason additions like Naylor and Eugenio Suarez have significantly enhanced the lineup, while their bullpen remains formidable.
Manager Dan Wilson emphasized the importance of focusing on the division title: “There is a lot of work to do… Hopefully we get that done sooner than later.” This year, the Mariners aim to build on their playoff experience from previous seasons, having ended a 21-year postseason drought in 2022.
Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh reflected on the team’s struggles in recent years, stating, “These last two years have felt really long… A lot of pain.” However, he believes these challenges have forged a stronger team ready to compete. Center fielder Julio Rodriguez added, “Those years served their purpose — to get us stronger.”
During the game, the Mariners found themselves trailing 3-1 entering the eighth inning. However, a pivotal moment came when Rockies reliever Juan Mejia hit Luke Raley, setting the stage for Naylor’s clutch double, which sent Rodriguez sprinting home from first base. “It felt like two seconds… I just started running,” Rodriguez recalled.
With Andres Munoz closing out the ninth, the Mariners celebrated in front of a jubilant crowd of 35,925 at T-Mobile Park. Their home record now stands at 49-27, and they have stretched their lead over the Astros to four games with just five games remaining.
The Mariners are hungry for postseason success, aiming to play as many games as possible at home. “We want to play at home,” Rodriguez declared. The excitement is palpable as Seattle eyes its first home playoff game in nearly a quarter-century.
As the Mariners prepare for the final stretch of the season, fans are eager to share in the team’s journey towards a potential division title and a deep playoff run. The city is buzzing with anticipation, and the Mariners are ready to make history.