Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
This season has not been a great one for the Seattle Mariners but they do have good things to look at and build on for next season. Since this season is basically over as far as the stretch for the postseason, the Mariners are in a unique position. They are probably the only team of the bottom three from the American League West that are good enough to really have a strong effect on the outcome of the pennant race between the Oakland Athletics and Texas Rangers.
For me, it really should be a source of pride for the Mariners to consider themselves the spoiler in the division race. They should look at both teams and take an attitude that says, “If we cannot have the pennant, we sure can decide who does.” It should be a big deal for the team to go out and play those two contenders harder than ever for the next month. How should that work out? It looks to favor the Rangers.
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The Mariners record against the Rangers is 6 – 9 while they have a much better mark of 8 – 5 against the Athletics. The A’s have climbed to within striking distance of the Rangers again but the Mariners are starting a series with the A’s this week. They could deliver a tough blow to the Athletics if they win two of three or sweep the series. Talk about having a goal for a team that was a disappointment for part of the season. This could not only be a source of pride this year but a huge building block for the year to come in 2014.
David Miller is a Senior Writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @davidmillerrant, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google
