Takeaways From Seattle Mariners Series Sweep Against Cleveland Guardians
In this story:
SEATTLE — The Seattle Mariners turned the page in a big way over the weekend.
The Mariners swept the Cleveland Guardians to take the final Wild Card spot in the crowded American League playoff picture as of Monday.
It was a necessary series win after a disappointing stretch from mid-May to early June. And it's something Seattle can build on going forward.
Here's the takeaways from the Mariners series win against the Guardians:
Seattle's offense, pitching beautifully melds
Ever since Seattle's nine-series win streak was snapped by the Toronto Blue Jays (May 9-11), the team has struggled to get a balanced showing from its starting rotation, bullpen and offense. Mariners general manager Justin Hollander said as much in an interview with MLB Radio earlier this month.
Seattle bucked that trend against Cleveland. The Mariners outscored the Guardians 17-5 in the series. The rotation of Luis Castillo, George Kirby and Emerson Hancock allowed a combined four earned runs and the bullpen allowed one, which came on a wild pitch. The team also got valuable offensive contributions by various players.
Jorge Polanco hit a walk-off RBI single Saturday, J.P. Crawford hit a grand slam Monday and the club had a four-run seventh inning Friday that included run-scoring hits from Randy Arozarena, Dominic Canzone and Cole Young.
DAD STRENGTH GRAND SALAMI.
— Seattle Mariners (@Mariners) June 15, 2025
🌟 https://t.co/Q16mvWt8m4 🌟 pic.twitter.com/rw41x0EFjm
It was a rare complete showing for Seattle, and the team will need a lot more displays like it if it wants to clinch a spot in the postseason by the end of September.
Seattle's lineup gets the timely hits
For a large portion of the Mariners three-series losing streak before the set against Cleveland, Seattle managed to get players on base. It was bringing runners home that was the issue.
The Mariners got those timely hits against the Guardians. Seattle scored its 17 runs across the series on 28 runs. The club brought runners home on singles, doubles, sacrifice flies and home runs.
We'll take four please 😌
— Seattle Mariners (@Mariners) June 14, 2025
🌟 https://t.co/Q16mvWt8m4 🌟 pic.twitter.com/J1pXcX2cLN
The Mariners offense carried the team for a large portion of the nine-series win streak with timely hitting and being able to score in a variety of ways. This past weekend's series was probably the best example of the team doing that since the streak was snapped. In Seattle's 4-3 win against Cleveland on Saturday, the M's accomplished that against one of the best closers in the game and 2024 AL Cy Young finalist, Emmanuel Clase.
With a three-game sample size to work with against a legitimate playoff contender, the Mariners could build on and carry that momentum into their next series.
Up next
Seattle will begin a three-game series against the Boston Red Sox at 6:40 p.m. PT on Monday. Logan Gilbert will start for the Mariners and Lucas Giolito will take the mound for the Red Sox.
Related Stories on Seattle Mariners
RANDY AROZARENA FIRST PLAYERS IN 25 YEARS TO ACCOMPLISH INCREDIBLE FEAT: The Seattle Mariners outfielder was all over the bases despite not recording a base hit against the Cleveland Guardians on Sunday. CLICK HERE
PITCHING MATCHUPS FOR SERIES BETWEEN MARINERS, RED SOX: The Mariners and Red Sox will face off in a series that could have serious American League Wild Card implications. CLICK HERE
MARINERS SHUT OUT GUARDIANS 6-0, SECURE SERIES SWEEP: Mariners shortstop J.P. Crawford, in his first Father's Day, helped catapult his team to a win over the Guardians. CLICK HERE
Follow Seattle Mariners on SI on social media
Continue to follow our Inside the Mariners coverage on social media by liking us on Facebook and by following Teren Kowatsch and Brady Farkas on "X" @Teren_Kowatsch and @RefuseToLosePod. You can subscribe to the "Refuse to Lose" podcast by clicking HERE.
