The three-way battle between the Texas Rangers, Houston Astros, and Seattle Mariners has been one of the most exciting developments of the 2023 MLB season.
The three teams have all led the AL West at some point in the last few weeks, and all of them have experienced the fear of coming up empty-handed once all is said and done.
After Monday’s games, the Mariners are starting to lag behind the other two AL West powerhouses.
Led by an impressive pitching performance by Justin Verlander, the Astros defeated the Mariners in the series opener on Monday.
It’s quite likely the most important series of the year for both teams.
Had the Mariners won, they would have leapfrogged the Astros for that third and final Wild Card spot in the American League by half a game.
Houston came out on top, though, so now the Mariners are a game-and-a-half behind.
Mariners fans, predictably and understandably, are starting to feel the fear associated with going home earlier than expected.
— Ev (@itad0ri35) September 26, 2023
Not a good start to this series at all but have to give credit to Verlander for doing what he does when it matters. Hopefully the Mariners can get it going tomorrow and even this series.
— B. Klaus (@B_Klaus) September 26, 2023
Sad to see these guys collapse this way. I’m sure it’s ripping them up inside.
— Last Of The Dying Breed 🇺🇸🇺🇦 (@TkachTony) September 26, 2023
The lights are too bright for Julio Fraudrigez
— 🐝. (@stingleyszns) September 26, 2023
So you’re really gonna tank in the final games of the season?
Us: pic.twitter.com/Jk1pFSJ1hi
— BAG 🎒 (@nfsbag) September 26, 2023
With George Kirby on the mound, the Mariners will try to come closer again, to half a game behind.
It’s a game by game thing at this point.
Seattle can’t worry about the standings on Tuesday: they need to worry about winning.
If they win, they get to live another day and create another opportunity for themselves.
If they lose on Tuesday, things will get very, very complicated for them.
They have the pitcher, they have the talent, and they have the drive.
NEXT: MLB Insider Highlights A Brutal Weekend For The Mariners
