Mariners End 8-Year Drought With Statement Sweep of Astros

Seattle completes first 4-game series sweep of Houston since 2018, signaling a power shift in the AL West.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 2:07am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a baseball game between the Seattle Mariners and Houston Astros, with the players and field broken down into sharp, overlapping planes of color and shape, conveying the dynamic shift in power between the two teams.The Mariners' decisive sweep of the Astros shatters the status quo in the AL West, signaling a new era of competition.Houston Today

The Seattle Mariners completed a statement four-game series sweep of the Houston Astros, marking their first such sweep over their division rivals since 2018. This victory ends an 8-year drought for the Mariners against the Astros, who have dominated the AL West in recent seasons. While the Mariners have struggled to start the 2026 campaign, this sweep could be the catalyst to propel them forward as they look to build on their division title from 2025.

Why it matters

The Mariners' dominance over the Astros in this series signals a potential power shift in the AL West, as Seattle looks to cement its status as an emerging powerhouse while Houston may be on the decline. This sweep could provide the Mariners with much-needed momentum after a sluggish start to the season.

The details

The Mariners won the first two games of the series in close fashion, including a walk-off victory on Saturday night. They then proceeded to decisively win the final two games, outscoring the Astros 12-4 over the last 36 innings. This marks the first time Seattle has swept Houston in a 4-game series since 2018, ending an 8-year drought against their division rivals.

  • The Mariners completed the 4-game sweep on Monday, April 14, 2026.
  • The last time the Mariners swept the Astros in a 4-game series was in 2018.

The players

Seattle Mariners

A Major League Baseball team based in Seattle, Washington, who won the AL West division title in 2025.

Houston Astros

A Major League Baseball team based in Houston, Texas, who have dominated the AL West in recent seasons but are now facing a potential power shift in the division.

J.P. Crawford

The Mariners' starting shortstop, who hit a walk-off single in the 9th inning of the Saturday game to lead Seattle to victory.

Cal Raleigh

The Mariners' starting catcher and 2025 AL MVP runner-up, who has not yet found his stride to start the 2026 season.

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What they’re saying

“This sweep could be the catalyst that springs us forward. We've had a tough start, but this shows we can compete with the best in the division.”

— Cal Raleigh, Mariners Catcher

What’s next

The Mariners will look to build on this sweep as they continue their divisional matchups, facing the Angels and Rangers in their next two series.

The takeaway

The Mariners' dominant series win over the Astros signals a potential power shift in the AL West, as Seattle establishes itself as an emerging force in the division after years of Houston's dominance. This sweep could provide the Mariners with much-needed momentum to overcome their sluggish start to the season.