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May 12, 2018; Detroit, MI, USA; Hat and glove of Seattle Mariners center fielder Dee Gordon (9) sits in dugout during the third inning against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
The Seattle Mariners have been sputtering along all season long. In the month and a half since the 2026 season started, this team has either not performed as expected or injuries have completely jumbled its full-strength.
But this recent victory over one of the sneakiest top teams in Major League Baseball, the Chicago White Sox, is a great look at what this Mariners team could be. There was a nice call-back to last season's emergence as a threat to the AL pennant.
It starts with Luke Raley and his career night on Friday. In the 12-8 victory, he amassed seven RBIs on two swings. First baseman Josh Naylor also had himself a nice night, with a three-hit, three RBI night.
Mariners' pitcher Emerson Hancock handled business in six innings. Although he allowed five earned runs, it was only on five hits, and he sat down four White Sox batters in the process. At this point, if you allow a home run to Munetaka Murakami, it is just another day at the office.
The Mariners now sit a game and a half back of the Athletics in the close-knit AL West. This team is starting to find its stride with a 5-5 record over its last 10 games. But, they had to endure a gauntlet of facing the Atlanta Braves, in which they handed them their first season series loss of the season, and also faced the surprisingly great St. Louis Cardinals.
As the season approaches the quarter-mark, is this Mariners' team for real, or still holding itself together by a string?
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