The Seattle Mariners have been one of the most pleasant surprises of the 2022 MLB season thus far, as they own a 10-6 record and sit in first place in the American League West at the time of print. Led by scorching hot hitters, such as Ty France, and breakout pitchers, such as Logan Gilbert, the Mariners have the talent on both sides of the plate to make a run at the division crown his year.
However, it's understandable to write off Seattle as an early trend, given their recent results. Seattle hasn't made the playoffs since 2001 and has endured 11 losing seasons since that point. However, 2021 was one of their brightest campaigns in recent memory, as they won 90 games and announced their presence to the MLB as a team to watch out for heading into the 2022 MLB season. The strong season injected excitement into a fanbase that hasn't had a whole lot to cheer about for quite some time.
Those results, and this year's early hot start, are enough reasons to believe in the Mariners. However, a deeper dive is needed to really examine why the Mariners make an interesting case as a contender. That's exactly what we'll do here.
That said, here are here are three reasons why the Mariners' hot start to the 2022 MLB season will continue.
3 Reasons Why Mariners' Hot Start To 2022 Will Continue
3. The Mariners have a budding ace on their roster
Seattle signed former Toronto Blue Jays left-hander and 2021 AL Cy Young award-winner Robbie Ray to a big contract this offseason to be the first ace of the staff since the days of Felix Hernandez. While it's early, Ray hasn't quite gotten off to the start that fans envisioned, as he has pitched to a 3.91 ERA through his first four starts of the season. Fans shouldn't be too worried about Ray, as there is a long way to go for him to get back to his Cy Young-winning form.
However, fans have a lot to be excited about when it comes to rising star Logan Gilbert. Gilbert has been nothing short of fantastic through his first three starts, as he owns a 2-0 record to go along with a miniscule 0.54 ERA and 0.84 WHIP. Making it even more impressive is the fact that the starts have come against some tricky lineups, such as the Chicago White Sox and the Tampa Bay Rays. While Gilbert won't pitch to a sub-1.00 ERA all year, it's clear that the former first-round pick is living up to his billing in the early going. Armed with a fastball, slider, curveball and changeup, Gilbert has the arsenal to be an elite-level starter in the big leagues. The combination of a budding ace in Gilbert and an established one in Ray could make the Mariners a formidable foe all year long.
2. The Mariners lineup is one of baseball's best
The Mariners sport one of the best lineups in baseball, led by surprise contributor Ty France, slugger Eugenio Suarez, prospects Jarred Kelenic and Julio Rodriguez, and veterans Mitch Haniger and J.P. Crawford. Seattle currently ranks in the top-five in runs, home runs and OPS while placing inside the top-half of the league in team batting average. It's a lineup that features power, with Suarez, Haniger and France, speed with Kelenic, Crawford and Rodriguez and depth. France, who is batting nearly .400 with five home runs already, has helped power Seattle to an excellent start. It's hard not to see these guys raking all year long, provided they stay healthy. The season is young, though this is quickly becoming a lineup that not many teams will want to face.
1. The Mariners are hungry
Yes, there are some new players in Seattle who weren't there in past seasons. The likes of Jesse Winker and Ray haven't endured the playoff drought like the fans have. However, this is an organization that is tired of the losing and is ready to go out there and prove the doubters wrong. Led by manager Scott Servais, this Mariners team has the hitting and pitching to be a factor in the AL West all season long. Last season, Seattle missed the playoffs by one game. One can bet that the narrow miss is still very much on their minds in 2022. Oftentimes, the most dangerous teams are the ones playing inspired. The Mariners will be playing with a chip on their shoulder all year long. Doubt them at your own risk.
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