Setembro

The Mariners' season pictured by Stevil.

By Stevil, 3 September, 2025.

There have been many ups & downs this season and the white knuckle ride continues. Here are some edited and translated questions that have been popular locally...

Q: Why can't the Mariners win on the road?

A: As of 3 September, Seattle is 32-39 on the road. Only 5 teams have winning road records. It might feel worse than it is because Seattle has played more road games than home games. It's hard to win on the road, largely because of the physical toll traveling takes on the players. That said, it's been especially brutal lately. It's never the same problem, though. One night it's the starting pitching, next it's the offense, then it's the bullpen...it's been a weird mix. They play more at home this month, so maybe things will get better after the next home stretch if they can get it together and play consistently.

Q: Could Logan Evans be used in the bullpen?

A: Sure. I just don't think it's likely. I was surprised Hancock was moved to the bullpen (and more surprised that he was brought up after just two relief appearances). Evans is their lone, decent reserve starter now and I'm not sure he's even going to finish the season in a regular role for Tacoma (because of health and innings pitched). Seattle is really banking on health, not just with the pitching, but with their position players as well. They don't have great backups for third or first. This is what happens when a team lacks depth. 

Q: Why don't they promote Ford?

A: This was asked before he was called up on 1 September. If he hadn't been called up, I would have guessed that they preferred him to play regularly than start his clock and have him sit & watch for a month. But because he was promoted, I would imagine they're treating this more as a watch-and-learn experience in which he'll likely take the experience into the offseason and prepare for a regular backup role in spring.

And just to spearhead any questions about positional flexibility, it's highly unlikely they'll use him in the outfield this year. He has played catcher exclusively this year. It's unlikely he'll DH as well. That's Polanco's job. Ford wasn't likely called up for offense. This appears to be more about preparing him for 2026. 

Q: What gives you hope with this bullpen?

A: Nothing. Seriously, nothing. They have 4 solid relievers. Those 4 will have their bad outings as well (and have). The other 5 are a crapshoot at best. They'll likely put fans on a month-long white knuckle ride. This isn't me being pessimistic. This has been my biggest concern from the beginning and nothing has changed. We might see a name or two swapped out for a AA reliever, such as Hobbs and/or Kingsbury, but the lack of experience & success from their options isn't comforting. 

Q: Do you think they'll make the postseason?

A: Of course I can't answer that. I think their schedule is favorable in September. I don't like the fact that they're relying on Geno and Naylor to be both healthy and productive, because they lack depth. I don't like the bullpen. I worry about the health of the rotation, because Castillo has struggled for a while, Miller is still relatively fresh off the IL and they lack healthy depth. The AL is tight and there's no room for error. I worry more about getting in than being able to advance if they get in. If they make it, they could feasibly go to a 4-man rotation and may not need to lean on their number 7-9 relievers. 

Q: When are you going to admit you were wrong about the deadline trades?

A: This was an attempted ribbing from a local that was serious, but wasn't trying to rude, just joking around. 

The offense has been worse and so has the pitching, so I would challenge anyone who believes this to show me how/why Seattle didn't need more pitching help, which was my problem with the deadline. 

I still think this could prove to be a historical (positively historic) season for Seattle if they stay healthy and can get into the playoffs. I still don't think they have enough to get to the World Series, but the same could be said of a number of teams that made it and even won it. I have hope, it's just more limited than what most optimistic fans have.