MLB expert calls Mariners baseball’s biggest disappointment despite strong AL West belief originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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The Seattle Mariners are 25-29 at Memorial Day, and there is plenty of reason to worry about this team that came into the year as a World Series contender.
It’s been a frustrating 2026 season for the Mariners, and with Cal Raleigh on the injured list after a poor start to the year, and Luis Castillo struggling mightily, it’s hard not to be pessimistic about the season so far.
That’s why it’s not a surprise that ESPN’s Bradford Doolittle called the Mariners the biggest disappointment of the 2026 season so far. However, while giving the Mariners such a label, Doolittle also shared a strong AL West belief in Seattle.
Mariners are biggest disappointment despite AL West favorite label
“I’d go with Seattle,” Doolittle said of the Mariners being MLB’s biggest disappointment. “… The Mariners are still the AL West favorites in my book, but they blew a golden opportunity to seize control of the division early.”
While the Mariners might be Doolittle’s biggest disappointment this season, he still believes them to be the favorites to come out of the AL West.
At 25-29, the Mariners aren’t in first place, but they are tied for second in the division, and only 2.5 games back of the Athletics for the division lead.
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They begin a three-game series against the A’s on Memorial Day, and if they were to sweep them, Seattle would all of a sudden be in first place in the AL West.
It’s been a disappointing season for the Mariners, but there is still a good chance for them to not only make the playoffs but also win the AL West.
Doolittle called the Mariners the biggest disappointment in MLB this season, not necessarily for being the worst team in baseball, but for the missed opportunity the Mariners had to separate themselves from the competition in the AL West this season.
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