There’s nothing quite like a preseason prediction aging like milk in the summer sun. While the Seattle Mariners have been quietly dismantling narratives and opposing pitchers, one prominent voice in baseball media found himself backpedaling with the urgency of a center fielder misjudging a fly ball. It turns out, underestimating a team built on grit, growth, and a revamped mindset comes with a public serving of humble pie.

Several teams have been proving a lot of people wrong this season. While clubs like the Texas Rangers and Miami Marlins are falling short of expectations, other teams like the New York Yankees and Detroit Tigers have been doing well. One of the teams that has broken past its barrier and come out strong is the Seattle Mariners, and Ben Verlander is guilty of making a decision too early.

Every MLB insider did a per-season prediction, and Ben Verlander was also not an exception. During that prediction, he expected the Mariners not to be the best team in the AL West, and now he is being proven wrong. With an X post, Ben Verlander raised his hands and tipped his hat to the Mariners. “I have been waiting to say this. The Seattle Mariners are a good ball club… I could not have been more wrong about the Seattle Mariners. I am pumped to have been wrong about them.”

He also gave a very good reason as to why the Mariners have had such a good change from last year. By the end of the season, the Mariners changed their hitting coach to Edgar Martinez, and things have been looking up ever since. Edgar Martínez transformed the Mariners’ mindset with his “80 percent” swing philosophy and calm focus. He taught hitters to embrace contact over chaos, turning strikeouts into smart, timely offense.

This shift unlocked elite results—Seattle’s lineup surged in batting average, OPS, and overall consistency. Julio Rodriguez thrived, and the Mariners became playoff contenders with precision replacing panic at the plate.

So, while the league’s usual suspects fumble the script, the Mariners are flipping pages like pros. Edgar Martínez didn’t just tweak swings—he rewired belief systems. Ben Verlander’s apology tour? Well-deserved. In a season where hype often outruns performance, Seattle chose substance. And now, the AL West might need therapy.

Offensive awakening: Seattle Mariners’ 2025 bats show life

After years of disappointing bats and constant hand-wringing over their inability to hit in a ballpark designed to crush offensive dreams, the Seattle Mariners have suddenly remembered what it’s like to swing for the fences. Gone are the days of scoring more by accident than design. In 2025, their offense is actually showing up, as if to say, “Oh, you thought we forgot how to hit?”

The Mariners have been on the rise this season. Their bats have come into life and are thriving to the full extent. Despite T-Mobile Park’s hitter-friendly challenges, they rank 2nd in road batting average (.267), 1st in on-base percentage (.359), and 3rd in slugging percentage (.429). Their on-road performance has been top-notch with a 12-6 record.

Key players like Jorge Polanco, JP Crawford, and Cal Raleigh have stepped up. Polanco boasts a .750 slugging percentage early in the season, while Crawford mirrors his 2023 form. Raleigh is hitting like an MVP candidate, fulfilling the expectations set for him in previous seasons. The offense looks primed for success.

However, Julio Rodriguez, the team’s marquee player, is struggling. With a sub-.400 slugging percentage, he’s well below his usual standard. Despite his slump, the Mariners’ offense has been effective, but Rodriguez’s bounce-back is crucial for long-term success. His performance will determine if the Mariners’ offensive surge is sustainable.

If Rodriguez can shake off his slump, the Mariners could finally have a well-rounded offense that rivals their stellar pitching. But with his current struggles, one can’t help but wonder: Will this offensive awakening be the real deal, or are we simply witnessing another spring fling? Only time will tell if this offense is built to last or if it’s just another case of a hot streak in an unforgiving park. But if it’s a streak, can you call this just luck?