For the first time in over two decades, postseason baseball will be played in the Pacific Northwest. The Mariners clinched a wildcard spot after a walk-off home run by Cal Raleigh in the bottom of the ninth on Friday night.

The most infamous season in baseball marks the last time the Mariners saw the postseason. In 2001, Seattle won 116 regular season games, tying the 1906 Chicago Cubs for the most in MLB history. However, Seattle would be on the wrong side of history losing to the Yankees in five games in the ALCS and being regarded as the greatest team in MLB history to never win a World Series title.

It wasn’t a one and done season for the Mariners, though, who continued their success in 2002 and 2003 winning 90+ games in consecutive seasons. However, the AL West was the toughest division in baseball during the early 2000’s as Seattle fell behind the Athletics and Angels. Since then, questionable moves from the front office and the inability to draft players have haunted Seattle’s chances at getting back to the postseason.

This time though, the Mariners are on the right side of history punching their postseason ticket heading into a highly anticipated Wild Card round. The 2022 Mariners are an exciting team being spearheaded by Julio Rodriguez, the AL Rookie of the Year candidate who has played an integral role in the success of the entire team. Rodriguez became the fastest player in American League history to reach the 20/20 club. Along with Julio Rodriguez, the balanced Mariners offense has it all with power hitters such as Eugenio Suarez, Cal Raleigh, Carlos Santana and Mitch Haniger. They also benefit from speed on the bases with Dylan Moore and contact hitters like J.P. Crawford, Ty France, and Jessie Winker. The offense for Seattle is one to look out for this October.

The pitching for Seattle is also stellar with a formidable rotation in former Cy Young winners Robbie Ray and Luis Castillo who has been extended for the next five years, and Logan Gilbert. The bullpen for Seattle has been one of the best in baseball headlined by an incredible season from Erik Swanson with a 1.78 ERA. Swanson is joined by Paul Sewald, Penn Murfee, and fireball thrower Andres Munoz, all of which have an ERA under three.

The Mariners are an exciting team to watch out for in October with the likelihood to make a deep postseason run.