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MLB Playoff Bracket: 5 MLB teams on upset alert this postseason

By Noah Yingling

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 07: Aaron Judge #99 of the New York Yankees watches his fourth inning home run against the Minnesota Twins at Yankee Stadium on September 07, 2022 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 07: Aaron Judge #99 of the New York Yankees watches his fourth inning home run against the Minnesota Twins at Yankee Stadium on September 07, 2022 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /
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Mariners
Luis Castillo #21 of the Seattle Mariners. (Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /

4) Seattle Mariners

The Seattle Mariners have not been in the postseason for more than two decades, as the last time they made the postseason, Ichiro was in his rookie season in 2001. They won 116 games in the regular season but didn’t even make it to the World Series.

This year, it’s almost certain that they will break that drought. If the postseason started today, they would be the no. 4 seed in the Wild Card round and they would be facing the Toronto Blue Jays. The Blue Jays could upset the Mariners.

The main concerns for the Mariners are the lack of postseason experience and their offense. Seven players on their 28-man roster (and it will only be 26 for the postseason) have been in the postseason before. However, none of them have played in a game past the Division Series.

With their offensive, since August 1, they have hit .218/.302/.403, which is 29th, 22nd, and 13th in that span. They do play their home games in a pitcher-friendly park, leading to their 106 wRC+ in that span (10th) but hitting against pitchers like Alek Manoah (who could be in the top five for AL Cy Young voting), Kevin Gausman, and Ross Stripling will not be easy, even with having the Wild Card series at home.

Toronto’s offense will also put the ball in play more, giving them a better chance at winning in a best-of-three Wild Card series and upsetting Seattle.

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