Opening Day is Here and It's World Series or Bust for the Mariners
It's finally happening. After a magical 2025 season that ended in Game 7 of the American League Championship Series, the Mariners are back at T-Mobile Park with one goal and one goal only: bring home a World Series title. No excuses. No moral victories. The expectation is crystal clear, and it starts Thursday night when Logan Gilbert takes the mound for the second straight year as the M's host the Guardians.
Two of Baseball's Biggest Stars, Long-Term Deals, One Mission
Cal Raleigh and Julio Rodríguez are still here, and they're locked in on long-term deals. That's not just good news, that's franchise-changing news. The Mariners have two of the biggest stars in baseball wearing green and blue, and both are tested and proven. Raleigh just put up a monster 2025 season with 60 home runs. Rodríguez is a centerfield cornerstone. Together, they've got the star power to actually get it done this year. The talent is there. The experience is there. Now it's time to deliver.
The Road Ahead Starts Now
The Mariners go into 2026 as the clear favorites in the AL West after winning their first division title in 24 years. They're legitimate World Series contenders, and the national media knows it. Josh Naylor re-signed with the team because he believes in what's being built here. His words say it all: "Winning is everything."
But here's the thing, the M's will start the season without J.P. Crawford and Bryce Miller, both placed on the injured list. That's a hit right out of the gate, but this roster is deep enough to weather early absences.
Thursday night at T-Mobile Park. Guardians coming to town. The 2026 season is officially on. This is what we've been waiting for since that Game 7 heartbreak. No more "next year" talk. It's World Series or bust, and Seattle is ready to believe.
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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.