Can the Mariners win the World Series this year? Here’s what the national media say

Jon Manley
·3 min read
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There’s a buzz around the Mariners heading into this season after Seattle ended its playoff drought and advanced to the American League Division Series. With a loaded rotation and a capable lineup led by budding superstar Julio Rodriguez, a repeat playoff appearance is the expectation. Did Seattle bolster its roster well enough in the offseason to overtake Houston and win the AL West? Can the Mariners compete for a World Series title? Here’s what national media outlets are saying and predicting for this year’s team.

Seattle Mariners center fielder Julio Rodriguez (44) is introduced prior to the start of game 3 of the ALDS against the Houston Astros on Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022, at T-Mobile Park in Seattle.
Seattle Mariners center fielder Julio Rodriguez (44) is introduced prior to the start of game 3 of the ALDS against the Houston Astros on Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022, at T-Mobile Park in Seattle.

ESPN

Seattle checks in at No. 10 in ESPN’s season preview rankings. “With multiple additions — Kolten Wong to bolster the defense, Tommy LaStella to come off the bench and Teoscar Hernandez to anchor the lineup from the cleanup spot — the Mariners have a more balanced and dynamic group of hitters who, as a collective, should play better team defense as well,” writes Bradford Doolittle. ESPN is bullish on Seattle’s rotation and of course, Rodriguez. “Rodriguez wowed the fans of Seattle in the batter’s box, on the bases and in the field, and his smile and his charisma made him a marketer’s dream,” writes Alden Gonzalez. “What will Year 2 bring? It’s fun to simply consider the possibilities. The reigning Rookie of the Year should elevate himself to MVP status.” ESPN ranks the reigning World Series champion Houston Astros as its No. 1 preseason team, while the Los Angeles Angels check in at No. 15 and the Texas Rangers come in at No. 16. ESPN’s Top 100 players list includes five Mariners: outfielder Julio Rodriguez (7), pitcher Luis Castillo (37), pitcher George Kirby (91), pitcher Logan Gilbert (98), outfielder Teoscar Hernandez (99).

Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Robbie Ray (38) pitches the ball in first inning of the game at T-Mobile Park in Seattle, Wash. on August 10, 2022.
Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Robbie Ray (38) pitches the ball in first inning of the game at T-Mobile Park in Seattle, Wash. on August 10, 2022.

MLB.COM

MLB.com’s Manny Randhawa and Dylan Svoboda picked Houston to win the division once again, while picking Seattle as one of the three American League Wild Card teams. “The starting rotation features All-Star right-hander Luis Castillo and former Cy Young Award winner Robbie Ray, as well as rising youngsters Logan Gilbert and George Kirby,” they write. “And with the acquisition of slugging outfielder Teoscar Hernández to complement J-Rod, plus Eugenio Suárez, Ty France and Cal Raleigh in the lineup, the offense has been bolstered in preparation for the 2023 campaign.” They picked the San Diego Padres to beat the Houston Astros in the World Series.

Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Luis Castillo pumps his fist after the top of the seventh inning of the team’s baseball game against the New York Yankees, Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2022, in Seattle.
Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Luis Castillo pumps his fist after the top of the seventh inning of the team’s baseball game against the New York Yankees, Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2022, in Seattle.

USA TODAY

USA Today’s seven-person panel unanimously picked Houston to win the AL West and the American League again this season, but write the Astros will face “stiff competition” from the New York Yankees, Cleveland Guardians and Seattle Mariners. All but one of the panel members picked the Mariners as an American League Wild Card team. Jesse Yomtov is all-in on Julio Rodriguez, predicting he’ll win American League MVP honors this season. Bobby Knightengale picked pitcher Luis Castillo to win this year’s AL Cy Young award.

Seattle Mariners including Jesse Winker, left; Ty France, third from right; Logan Gilbert, second from right; and Adam Frazier, right celebrate a home run by Cal Raleigh in ninth inning of a baseball game against the Oakland Athletics, Friday, Sept. 30, 2022, in Seattle. The Mariners won 2-1 to clinch a spot in the playoffs.
Seattle Mariners including Jesse Winker, left; Ty France, third from right; Logan Gilbert, second from right; and Adam Frazier, right celebrate a home run by Cal Raleigh in ninth inning of a baseball game against the Oakland Athletics, Friday, Sept. 30, 2022, in Seattle. The Mariners won 2-1 to clinch a spot in the playoffs.

SportsNet New York

SNY’s 12-person panel unanimously picked Houston to win the AL West again this year. Eight members of the panel picked the Seattle Mariners to be either the first or second American League Wild Card team, while the remaining four have the Mariners missing the playoffs.

American League’s Julio Rodriguez, of the Seattle Mariners, bats during the MLB All-Star baseball Home Run Derby, Monday, July 18, 2022, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
American League’s Julio Rodriguez, of the Seattle Mariners, bats during the MLB All-Star baseball Home Run Derby, Monday, July 18, 2022, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

CBS SPORTS

From the six-person panel, R.J. Anderson predicts Castillo will win the American League Cy Young award. Writer Mike Axisa predicts Julio Rodriguez will win the Home Run Derby, part of the All-Star weekend festivities, which will be held in Seattle at T-Mobile Park this summer.

Seattle Mariners celebrate their win over the Toronto Blue Jays in Game 2 of a baseball AL wild-card playoff series Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022, in Toronto. The Mariners advanced to the AL Division Series.
Seattle Mariners celebrate their win over the Toronto Blue Jays in Game 2 of a baseball AL wild-card playoff series Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022, in Toronto. The Mariners advanced to the AL Division Series.

BETTING ODDS

DraftKings Sportsbook lists Seattle at +1900 to win the World Series, while division rival Houston checks in as the favorite at +600. Elsewhere in the division, The Angels and Rangers are both +4500. Seattle’s +1900 odds mean a $100 winning bet on the Mariners to win the World Series would win $1,900, good for a $2,000 total payout. FanDuel lists Seattle at +2000 while BetMGM and Caesars Sportsbook both have the Mariners at +1800.