The Seattle Mariners have faced a challenging June, resulting in a decline from their strong position in the MLB standings. Once sitting comfortably in first place in the American League West with a 31-26 record at the start of the month, the team has seen their ranking slip down to No. 15 in the latest MLB Power Rankings published by The Athletic.
After a tough stretch where they went 2-8, bringing their record to 33-34, the Mariners now find themselves four games behind the hot Houston Astros, who are putting distance between themselves and the rest of the division even with a depleted roster. Drew Brisbee from The Athletic highlighted the Mariners’ struggles, noting that while their losing streak has ended, they continue to lose ground to the Astros.
Despite the team’s recent struggles, there are still glimmers of hope. Cal Raleigh, the MLB home run leader, has been a standout performer this season, contributing significantly to the team’s offensive efforts. With 33 home runs going into the beginning of July, Raleigh remains a compelling reason for fans to tune into Mariners games. However, the team needs other players, including center fielder Julio Rodriguez and starter George Kirby, to step up if they aim to secure a wild card spot or regain control of the AL West.
The season has been emblematic of the Mariners’ rollercoaster history, reminding fans that in baseball—much like life—things can shift rapidly. While it’s a challenging moment for Seattle, there’s still potential for improvement and excitement as they move into the next phase of the season. With key players striving to elevate their game, the Mariners could still turn their fortunes around.