Elimination came with the Seattle Mariners watching helplessly at home and hopelessly waiting for an impossible miracle that was never realized.
With both the Kansas City Royals and the Detroit Tigers rallying for victories on Thursday afternoon in their respective games, the Mariners were officially eliminated from 2024 postseason contention.
After qualifying for the third wildcard in 2022, the Mariners have failed to make the postseason in the two seasons that followed. Since the 2001 season, they’ve made the postseason just once.
It was a disappointing end to a frustrating season that started with so much hope and belief as the Mariners, riding a starting rotation seemingly delivered a quality start each night, rolled to a 44-31 record and a 10-game lead in the American League West on June 19. But an offense that struck out far too often scored too few runs and a bullpen absent of key relievers, made the success unsustainable and led to the team’s ultimate demise.
After that apex point, the season devolved into slog of lost games and series, eventually leading to the firing of long-time manager Scott Servais and hitting coach Jarret DeHart on Aug. 23.
The Mariners’ final three games of the season vs. the Oakland A’s will have no meaning other than stats and overall record.
This story will be updated.