Mariners' Slow Start Raises Early Concerns

Seattle team struggles to replicate early-season success from 2019 campaign

Apr. 9, 2026 at 5:21am

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A cubist, geometric painting in muted tones of navy, forest green, and maroon, breaking down a baseball game or match into sharp, overlapping planes, conceptually representing the Mariners' early-season struggles and lack of consistency.A deconstructed visual representation of the Mariners' early-season struggles, reflecting the team's inability to find consistency on the field.Seattle Today

The Seattle Mariners have stumbled out of the gate in the 2026 MLB season, posting a disappointing 13-17 record through their first 30 games. This slow start has raised concerns among fans and analysts, who are drawing comparisons to the team's 2019 season when they started hot but ultimately finished with a 68-94 record.

Why it matters

The Mariners' early-season struggles are a reminder that even the most promising teams can go through extended slumps over the course of a long 162-game season. While it's still very early, the team's poor start has reignited questions about their ability to compete in the tough American League West division.

The details

After jumping out to a 13-2 record in the first 15 games of the 2019 season, the Mariners collapsed and finished the year with a disappointing 68-94 record. This year, the team has stumbled to a 13-17 start through 30 games, raising concerns that they may be headed for a similar fate.

  • The Mariners were 13-2 through the first 15 games of the 2019 season.
  • The Mariners finished the 2019 season with a 68-94 record.

The players

Seattle Mariners

A Major League Baseball team based in Seattle, Washington that plays in the American League West division.

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The takeaway

The Mariners' early-season struggles serve as a reminder that even the most promising teams can go through extended slumps over the course of a long MLB season. While it's still very early, the team's poor start has reignited questions about their ability to compete in the tough American League West division.