The Seattle Mariners are not playing in the 2022 World Series, having been eliminated by the Houston Astros.
However, their 2022 season was a resounding success, and if you ask every Mariners fan in Seattle and in America in general, he/she will tell you exactly the same.
The team hadn’t made the postseason since 2001, and they broke that drought with some impressive play and some key performances.
They hadn’t won a playoff series in decades, but stunned the Toronto Blue Jays in Canada with a Wild Card-round sweep.
And T-Mobile Park finally hosted a postseason series: against the Astros.
Houston swept, but was on the ropes more than one time.
Another highlight of the Mariners’ 2022 campaign was their excellent play around the season’s midpoint.
They were MLB’s best team for a sizable stretch, and the numbers back that up.
“The @Mariners won 14 consecutive games from July 2-17, the longest winning streak going into the All-Star Break in MLB history (since 1933),” Mariners PR tweeted.
The @Mariners won 14 consecutive games from July 2-17, the longest winning streak going into the All-Star Break in MLB history (since 1933). pic.twitter.com/c8IAoMuxVs
— Mariners PR (@MarinersPR) October 28, 2022
An Elite Stretch For An Up-And-Coming Team
It was the best stretch of the Mariners season.
Robbie Ray had started to pitch like a true Cy Young winner around those days, Julio Rodriguez was blossoming into a bonafide superstar, the bullpen was consolidating, and the team had already called up impressive rookie pitcher George Kirby.
Ace Luis Castillo was not around yet, but the Mariners were playing some excellent baseball heading into the All-Star break.
They showed the world that they were serious about making a run at the playoffs: they fell one step short in 2021, but wouldn’t be denied this time around.
They also showed that they can be competitive in the playoffs, with an elite pitching staff and some improving hitters.
Seattle won’t be going anywhere in 2023, and looks like a perennial contender at least for the next half decade.
NEXT: The Mariners Were Carried By Their Pitching In 2022
