It ain’t just the temps rising — our beloved Mariners are on an epic hot streak. The team just won their 14th game in a row on Sunday, one shy of tying the all-time franchise record set by the 2001 squad (you know, the one that won a whopping 116 games in the regular season).
The M’s have a few days off before they try to keep the good vibes going on Fri., July 22 against the Astros at home. So while you root on local stars Julio Rodríguez + Ty France in tonight’s MLB All-Star Game, ponder these 14 things to know about the team’s incredible run.
- This is the longest Mariners winning streak since 2002 when the team won 10 games in a row.
- It’s also among the longest winning streaks of all Seattle sportsball teams, besting the Sounders (13), Storm (13) + Seahawks (11).
- Back in June, the Mariners had a losing record and were in fourth place. But their record is now 51-42, putting them in second place in the AL West + three games up on a Wild Card spot.
- Dare we dream? Only three other MLB teams won at least 10 games in a row going into the All-Star break — and two won the World Series.
- We like to cut it close, though. Half of the wins over the course of the streak came in one-run games, with two extra-inning victories.
- One secret to that success — in a stretch that goes back 25 games, Mariners relief pitchers are the best in the league, with ten wins, zero losses + a 1.49 ERA.
- It’s J-Rod’s world — we’re just living in it. The phenom has been a major contributor during the streak, and was simply electric during Monday night’s T-Mobile Home Run Derby, hitting 81 dingers and coming in second.
- The memes marking each victory have been absolute fire.
- And a special ritual called the Infield Win Dance has boosted the mojo. Nice moves, boys.
- One streak the Mariners would love to trample all over, though, is their playoff drought — the longest in North American sports that still stands at 20 years.
- Charting a path, the streak has improved the M’s playoff odds from 11% to 68.3%.
- And their remaining schedule looks favorable — they’re generally going to play weaker opponents for the rest of the year than they did in the first half.
- But keep a close eye on the MLB trade deadline Tues., Aug. 2. Washington Nationals superstar Juan Soto could be up for grabs as the M’s look to improve.
- Tickets for Friday’s game are sold out, but many are still available for Sat., July 23, as the M’s could be going for history. Let’s get loud.
