Mariners Noon Number: M’s drop pair to worst road team in MLB

Earlier this week, the Seattle Mariners lost both of a two-game series to the Philadelphia Phillies, the worst road team in baseball. It was a huge opportunity wasted.

Let’s be realistic. The M’s blew both games in the late innings, with closer Edwin Diaz once again looking particularly vulnerable, and the team missed a golden opportunity presented by the schedule-makers to pick up – or at least, maintain – ground in the American League wildcard chase.

There are 11 teams in the A.L., including two division leaders, within 3 1/2 games of a wildcard spot. The A.L. West-leading Houston Astros are the only team comfortable right now in the standings, enjoying a 13-game lead over the Los Angeles Angels, the Mariners’ opponent the next three nights.

Obviously, there’s a lot of baseball to be played this season. We haven’t yet reached Fourth of July or the All-Star Game. The division is clearly out of reach for the Mariners, but all they have to do to stay in contention for that elusive wildcard spot to end what seems like an interminable playoff drought is to hover around .500 and get hot in September.

How’s that for a rallying cry? “Let’s stay near .500!”

But if they miss out on the playoffs by a game or two, these two losses to Philly in late June will look even worse.