Among the 30 major league teams, there is only one team that has not even advanced, let alone won the World Series. It’s the Seattle Mariners.

Founded in 1977, Seattle has produced the likes of Ken Griffey Jr., Randy Johnson, and Ichiro Suzuki. In the last 45 years, the division has won three times. 1995, 1997 and 2001. Wild cards come twice. 2000, 2022. Fall baseball last year was also the first in 22 years since 2000. He has been out of the postseason for the longest time in MLB.

Last year, he advanced as a wild card and beat the Toronto Blue Jays with two wins to advance to the Division Series, but unfortunately met the Houston Astros, who became the World Series champion, and fell on his knees with three wins.

The series direction changed drastically as they failed to keep a 7-3 lead in the first game and gave up 5 runs in the 8th and 9th innings and lost 7-8. The recipient of the Division Series title is Houston Astros slugger Jordan Alvarez. He hit a come-from-behind three-run home run in the 9th inning of Game 1 and a two-run four in the 6th inning of Game 2. The series itself ended unilaterally with 3 wins, but the content was tight.

Regarding Seattle before the 2023 season, it was predicted that the wild card would be safe even if it did not rise to the district championship (Houston is strong). However, when the lid was opened, it failed to reveal the power of last season, such as a 40% fall and a 50% return. Fortunately, the first half ended with 45 wins and 44 losses 바카라.

But at the trade deadline, Jerry Dipoto, president of Baseball Operations, made a rather unexpected decision. Closer Paul Seawald was traded to the Arizona Diamondbacks for prospect outfielder Domini Canzoni and infielder Ryan Bliss. He seemed like a seller giving up on the season because he made the trade at a time when even strengthening the bullpen would not be cool. A starter on the Seattle mound, the bullpen is excellent.

Seattle swept the Kansas City Royals three-game series on the weekend, and finally took the sole lead in the AL West (74-56) for the first time this season. The Texas Rangers (73-57) and the defending champion Houston (74-58), who had been in the lead all along, were pushed back by a 1.0 game difference.

Since July 1st, the MLB has won 36 wins and 14 losses (0.720 win rate). With a 5.4 points per game, 0.818 OPS, 3.47 starting ERA, and 2.81 bullpen, the pitching is in perfect harmony. In particular, as the bat of second-year MLB outfielder Julio Rodriguez became hot in August, it was the beginning of a high flight in Seattle. Other players showed their best skills, but it is Rodriguez who is the driving force behind the rise. Team play requires the presence of a superstar. The San Diego Padres, the season’s World Series candidates, are feeling devastated that this is not going well.

Rodriguez is batting .410 (41-for-100), 6 homers, 27 RBIs, 11 stolen bases and a 1.139 OPS in August. The pitcher is also stable in both the starter and bullpen. Matt Brash is in charge of the closing after the SeaWorld trade.

Seattle’s goal difference this year is +102. In the AL, it is third after the Tampa Bay Rays (+174) and Houston (+172). When he entered the postseason as a wild card with 90 wins and 67 losses last year, it was +67. It turns out that the offense has been much stronger this year. Outfielder Theoscar Hernandez (batting average of 0.262-222 homers-76 RBIs), traded from the Toronto Blue Jays last offseason, is crucial.

Seattle’s last district championship was in 2001, when Ichiro debuted. At this time, he tied for the most wins in MLB history with 116 wins. It is interesting whether Seattle, which advanced to fall baseball for the first time in 22 years last year, will be able to win the district title again this year after 22 years.