BOSTON — If the playoffs started today, the Mariners would be in.
Unfortunately, there are still 90 games to go in the regular season.
Still, to say that after a 2-8 stretch in just the last couple of weeks says something about the Mariners’ chances.
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Sure, the Major League Baseball season is a roller coaster 162-game marathon, but the M’s figure to be healthier moving forward with recent returns to the rotation from George Kirby and Logan Gilbert and the impending return of position players like Luke Raley.
All that served as the backdrop for what we saw Tuesday night.
Bryan Woo only gave up one hit in seven innings of work, and Cal Raleigh belted a grand slam for his league-leading 27th home run with 6 RBI on the night to propel the Mariners to an 8-0 victory over Boston.
It was one game. But it was what this team can and should be most nights. Raleigh is enjoying a career year, and the Mariners rotation is coming into its own at the right time.
After a rebound in every sense of the word by sweeping fellow wild card contender Cleveland, the Mariners stumbled in a 2-0 loss Monday to Boston before showing their moxie again in a huge 8-0 win in game two of their series with the Red Sox.
There was also history on the line Tuesday night. Raleigh’s six RBI tied his career high, but it’s what Raleigh did on the basepaths that set a record.
When he stole his eighth base of the season, Raleigh broke the Mariners single-season stolen base record for a catcher—set by current skipper Dan Wilson.
The true leader that Raleigh is, he was more into talking about Woo’s epic night or the simple approach, telling reporters the second he looks around and takes stock in his career year is the second he’s not focused on the day-to-day grind that’s helped get him to this point.
His manager was more than willing to give the necessary praise.
What can you say about Cal?” Wilson said. “It’s unbelievable, he’s unbelievable.”
It was a reminder of what this team can be. That, despite the recent rough stretch, the Mariners are firmly in this fight with arguably an upward trajectory as health continues to improve and potential moves are made ahead of the trade deadline.
It’s a long road to go, but Woo and Raleigh’s magical night helped put an exclamation point on the potential of this team.
Now, more stars need to step up and help this Mariners team hang onto this current playoff standing through the season and into when it really matters:
In October.