Seattle Mariners Will Make the Playoffs: Five Reasons
By Todd Pheifer
Aug 19, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Seattle Mariners first baseman Logan Morrison (20) slides safe into home in front of catcher Carlos Ruiz (51) during the eighth inning of a game at Citizens Bank Park. The Mariners won 5-2. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Run differential
Combine the first two points together, and you have the team run differential. At the moment, the Mariners are +98 in that column. While this stat does not guarantee success, it is a big reason why the Mariners are 10 games over .500.
Consider that the teams trailing the Mariners include the smoke-and-mirrors New York Yankees (-40), the Toronto Blue Jays (+8), the Cleveland Indians (+17) and the Tampa Bay Rays (+16). For those of you scoring at home, the Mariners have the advantage.
It is also why there is reason to believe that the Mariners can eventually catch the Detroit Tigers (+41), and push them back into the rearview mirror. Here’s hoping.