The Seattle Mariners may not have had a single inning of October bliss, but 2025 seems worth remembering. Cal Raleigh has been busy making records and making a case for himself as an MVP. Maybe he will even outduel Aaron Judge, and that says something. Julio Rodriguez has his superstar groove, and the pitching staff is continuing to be true to its form. But the Mariners know better than to take things for granted.
To make their season truly special, they will need to rewrite their history. You see, they have had amazing starts that have ended in that same disaster. Last time the 10-game division lead melted away, then there was the September collapse in 2023 and the infamous 2021 trade that shunned the entire bullpen right when they were surging.
Even their only postseason run in 2022 ended on a sad note. However, this time things are different, and there is an underlying confidence that they can make it—or even win it.
MLB, Baseball Herren, USA Seattle Mariners at Minnesota Twins Jun 25, 2025 Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA Minnesota Twins pitcher Joe Ryan 41 pitches against the Seattle Mariners in the first inning at Target Field. Minneapolis Target Field Minnesota USA, EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xBradxRempelx 20250625_neb_ai9_0776
Reliever Matt Brash, in fact, mentioned to USA Today, “I feel like we’re ready this year. I feel like we’re a very confident group. We made some additions at the trade deadline, which really boost our vibe, our lineup, and everything…..I feel like this team is different. We’re much deeper in all aspects, and I think we showed it coming out of the break with how we were playing.”
Well, Seattle’s surge has been really exceptional. They won eight straight games earlier this month, and that pulled them even with the Houston Astros atop the AL West. Before that streak snapped on August 13. They have added Eugenio Suarez and Josh Naylor, and the offense, which was once the main issue, is not looking fine with a .730 OPS. Raleigh, meanwhile, has been unstoppable with 45 homers!
And while the Mariners just surge forward, the landscape around them is shifting. The Los Angeles Dodgers, for example, were shockingly swept by the Angels this season, and they lost their division deal to the San Diego Padres. The Yankees, meanwhile, also due to Boone’s head-scratching decision, lost to the Minnesota Twins. No, really, they did! The Mariners’ path is not clear, but if the Yankees and Dodgers end up playing this way, their ring hopes just become all the more clear. Plus, they are awaiting a few more players to join and rev them up more, too.
The Mariners have key reinforcements on the way.
If you thought things couldn’t get better for the Seattle Mariners, then well, sorry to burst that bubble—it might get even better. This is because help is on the way, and three players, key players, are wrapping up their rehab assignments to suit up for this long run this season. Starting with Bryce Miller! He had an up-and-down second rehab outing, but he came out great on Wednesday for Triple-A Tacoma. He retired the first 12 batters that he faced and went 5⅔ ⅔ innings, allowing just two runs on two hits and a walk, and he struck out four.
Miller’s fastball is also on track, and he is averaging around 96.7 mph and topping at 98.1. Over three rehab starts, he has walked only three in 13⅓ ⅓ innings. Next is Victor Robles, who is also making huge strides. The outfielder has been out since April after a shoulder-breaking injury after that highlight diving catch in San Francisco. Now he has smacked a couple of doubles, stolen a base, and somehow has been hit by three pitches in just two games. Now the plan is for him to get 40-50 before he gets a call-up.
Lastly, there is Luke Raley, who, after his back spasm, has now eased back into action. Playing at first base, right field, DH, and even center at rehab. He has gone 4 for 16 with two home runs and even a grand slam just last Sunday. He has been struck nine times, sure, but the power is there. Even Hollander has hinted that Raley might be back to play against the Mets this weekend.
For now, the teams should be scared because even without the reinforcement, they are so powerful; how will the reinforcements make them?
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