Four Seattle Times Writers Made Their Mariners Predictions, and They're All Saying the Same Thing
Opening day is finally here, and that means the predictions are flying. Four Seattle Times writers just dropped their 2026 season forecasts, and if you're a Mariners fan, you're going to like what you're hearing. Every. Single. One. Of them has Seattle winning the AL West.
The Mariners Are Built Different This Year
Here's the thing: all four writers agree the roster is deeper than it's ever been. The return of Josh Naylor, plus the additions of Brendan Donovan and Rob Refsnyder alongside the core group, gives this team something special. Ryan Divish thinks they'll go 93-79 and win the division. Adam Jude is even more bullish, predicting 95-67 and calling it possibly "the most complete roster the Mariners have ever had, built to win in the regular season and the postseason."
Tim Booth sees a slightly messier regular season (88-74) but still believes they'll get the job done in October. Mike Vorel lands at 91-71, expecting a bounce-back from a starting rotation that dealt with injuries last season. The consensus is clear: this team is different.
Pitching Health Is Everything
Here's what separates the good Mariners season from a great one. Every writer points to the same thing: can the starting rotation stay healthy? Bryan Woo is the X factor. When he's healthy, Jude notes he's one of the game's elite arms. If all five starters are on the field, this team has serious potential.
But there's a caveat in Booth's prediction. He thinks Cal Raleigh doesn't hit 60 homers this year (let's be real, that was a historic 2025), but he dominates the postseason instead. Julio Rodriguez becomes an MVP candidate. Brendan Donovan and Josh Naylor are hit machines. And Bryan Woo becomes a star.
Everyone's Picking the Same World Series Matchup
Here's where it gets interesting. Three of the four writers have the Dodgers beating the Mariners in the World Series. That means Seattle gets there. Divish, Jude, and Vorel all see a Mariners run to October glory, just coming up short against Los Angeles. Booth? He has the M's losing to Toronto in the ALCS but still sees a deep run.
The real story here is that nobody in this room thinks the Mariners are falling short of the playoffs. They're all betting on this team to finally deliver something special.
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This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.