Although it’s technically possible for the Mariners to squeeze into the playoffs, the odds are exceedingly slim. To make it, Seattle would have to win all their remaining games while both the Rangers and Astros lose every one, resulting in a three-way tie at 78-84, with Seattle taking the division through tiebreakers. FanGraphs puts the probability of this scenario at an almost negligible 0.0%. This weekend, however, is more about bidding farewell to beloved Mariners radio voice Rick Rizzs as he retires. Fans watching on Mariners.TV or MLB.TV are encouraged to switch to the radio broadcast to catch his final games. Unlike Dave Niehaus, whose goodbye was brief, this is a special moment to appreciate and thank Rick for his many years of commentary—next summer, Mariners baseball will sound very different.
Here is the schedule and pitching matchups for the upcoming four games against the Angels, with Seattle favored in each:
- Game 1: Thursday, Sept 24, 6:40 pm — Mariners’ RHP Bryan Woo vs. Angels’ RHP Grayson Rodriguez (Mariners win probability 67.7%)
- Game 2: Friday, Sept 25, 7:10 pm — Mariners’ RHP Bryce Miller vs. Angels’ LHP Reid Detmers (Mariners win probability 56.5%)
- Game 3: Saturday, Sept 26, 6:40 pm — Mariners’ LHP Kade Anderson vs. Angels’ RHP Ryan Johnson (Mariners win probability 69.8%)
- Game 4: Sunday, Sept 27, 12:10 pm — Mariners’ RHP Logan Gilbert vs. Angels’ LHP Yusei Kikuchi (Mariners win probability 66.6%)
(Game odds courtesy of FanGraphs)
When looking at team strengths, the Mariners lead the Angels in batting (102 wRC+, 6th in AL vs. 92 for 15th) and starting pitching (99 FIP- vs. 100), while the Angels have the upper hand in fielding and bullpen performance.
The Angels are in a unique spot—they’re on the brink of their first-ever 100-loss season but have just transitioned away from longtime owner Arte Moreno. Despite an historically poor year performance-wise, there’s a surprising sense of optimism among their fans. Their roster features a mix of youth and hope, highlighted by players like Zach Neto, Mike Trout, and Wade Meckler, though several are still finding their footing.
Key Angel players and their 2026 offensive stats include:
- Zach Neto (SS, right-handed hitter): .114 wRC+, 30.6% strikeouts, 9.5% walks, ISO of 0.194 over 684 plate appearances.
- Mike Trout (DH, RHB): .132 wRC+, 26% strikeouts, 16.6% walks, ISO 0.183 across 619 PAs.
- Wade Meckler (LF, left-handed hitter): .117 wRC+, 18.7% strikeouts, 9.7% walks, ISO 0.081 over 321 PAs.
(Additional player stats and details available in the original overview.)
Regarding pitching matchups:
- Grayson Rodriguez, once a top prospect before injuries, has returned from a major shoulder injury but has yet to regain his peak form. His fastball velocity remains strong, although his control and secondary pitches have declined. He has a 5.96 ERA and 4.85 FIP in 93.2 innings this season.
- Bryan Woo, the Mariners’ starter for Game 1, has shown promise with a 3.92 ERA and 3.27 FIP over 167.2 innings, boasting better strikeout-to-walk ratios than Rodriguez.
- Reid Detmers is thriving on his return to the Angels rotation, posting career-best ERA and FIP numbers, with a 3.47 ERA and 3.05 FIP over 179 innings.
- Bryce Miller and Kade Anderson add pitching depth for the Mariners, while Ryan Johnson and Yusei Kikuchi fill out the Angels’ rotation. Johnson has had a rocky development, but showed effectiveness against the Mariners in a recent game.
- Kikuchi, after missing significant time due to injury, has resumed his distinctive pitching style with a mixture of high-velocity fastballs, sliders, a splitter, and cutter.
Currently, the AL West standings show the Astros and Rangers tied at 78-80, with the Mariners trailing at 74-84, four games back but still mathematically alive if those teams stumble. That means baseball fans in Seattle will be cheering for the Athletics to beat Houston and the Twins to defeat Texas if they want to keep those playoff hopes alive.
Fan Take: This weekend is more than just the closing chapter of a difficult season—it’s a heartfelt tribute to Rick Rizzs, a voice synonymous with Mariners baseball. His retirement marks the end of an era and reminds fans how the game is about community and legacy, not just wins and losses.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
