Last year in the 2025 season, the Mariners won the division for the first time since 2001. Ending a long drought that had fans hopeless for a long time. Winning that division meant a lot to the players, fans, and the city of Seattle itself. It goes to show how impactful winning the division can be, leading into the postseason. Going into this season, making the playoffs as a wildcard shouldn’t be the goal. It will be very important that the Seattle Mariners win the AL West.

Why the Mariners must Win The Division
Playoff Path

Winning the division not only guarantees a spot in the playoffs but can also create a clearer path to the World Series. This can also create great momentum leading into the postseason. Winning the division is more than just a banner for the rafters. It is home-field advantage, more rest days after the season ends, and prep time for planning and execution. This division is highly competitive. With the young Athletics having a lot of good talent, the Rangers are a seasoned team with good weapons that can spark wins. Of course, the Astros are always in playoff contention with their all-star veterans and their winning tradition in Houston over the last decade. Winning this division means more than just a playoff spot; it secures an advantage that some teams won’t have.

Roster

With the offseason signings of Brendan Donovan, Josh Naylor, and Rob Refsnyder, the Mariners have created one of the most complete rosters in all of MLB. Since Logan Gilbert’s debut, they have also built one of the best starting rotations in all of baseball. With this great team, contracts are ending. Just in the starting rotation, multiple pitchers’ contracts are ending in the coming years. This roster will not last forever; their time is very limited, and they need to take advantage of this opportunity. 

Ending a drought of Dominance

The Houston Astros have won the AL West 7 times in the last 10 years. The Astros have dominated it, but that can change now. Seattle can finally move from “playoff hopeful” to “top-tier contender”. This division is open for the taking, and if the Mariners aren’t careful and don’t act on it, it can be taken from them. Seattle can take over this division and become the dominant team that makes the playoffs every season, but that has to start with winning the division this season.

With a team full of talent and all-stars, there is a great opportunity. However, time is short in these scenarios. There is no better time for the Seattle Mariners World Series push than right now. They have the tools to do it, but it all comes down to staying healthy and taking the opportunity when it presents itself. The Mariners have not been dominant for a very long time, and this is an opportunity for them to show how they can be. They have always had great pitching, and now, with added weapons on offense, they have a strong case to put themselves in a great position in this division.

Main Photo Credits: Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images