Sport

Seattle Mariners Surge: 3 Key Takeaways from Their Triumph Over the Blue Jays

2025-04-20

Author: Ken Lee

Seattle Mariners fans, rejoice! After a rocky start to the season, the Mariners are starting to find their rhythm. Fresh off an impressive 8-3 victory against the Toronto Blue Jays, they’ve now claimed four consecutive series wins, marking a significant turnaround from a 3-7 start.

Currently sitting at 12-10 overall, the Mariners have now clawed their way to second place in the AL West, just one game behind the Texas Rangers. Let’s break down the standout moments from this exhilarating series.

Rowdy’s Epic Weekend

Rowdy Tellez might just have found his groove again, and it couldn’t have happened at a better time. Returning to where his major league journey began, Tellez showcased why he’s an essential part of the roster with a stellar performance.

He smashed a home run in every game of the series, including a jaw-dropping 430-foot grand slam on Saturday during an 8-4 victory. Tellez also cranked a solo shot in the series opener and drove in two with a pinch-hit blast in Sunday’s game.

Before this surge, Tellez's numbers were less than impressive—just 3 hits in 34 at-bats. Now, he's in the midst of a four-game hitting streak, solidifying his place in the lineup.

Bullpen Ascends as Rotation Stumbles

Despite being touted as a team strength, the Mariners’ starting rotation has struggled to deliver extended outings, putting additional pressure on the bullpen. While Bryan Woo managed to pitch seven solid innings in the series opener, his fellow starters fell short, combining for only 9 2/3 innings over the next two games.

In response, the bullpen stepped up heroically. Over the weekend, they threw 12 1/3 innings, allowing a mere two runs. Their collective ERA is currently an impressive 3.30, ranking sixth in MLB—a testament to their resilience especially with key player Matt Brash still recovering from surgery.

Cal Raleigh’s Ongoing Torment of Toronto

Cal Raleigh is beginning to earn a reputation for exploiting Blue Jays pitching. In this series, he added more highlight-reel moments, going 4-for-12 with three walks and launching another home run at Rogers Centre.

With 11 career home runs against the Blue Jays in just 23 games, Raleigh’s prowess is becoming evident. He has also hit seven homers in his last nine games, tying him for the league lead this season.

A fiery exchange between Raleigh and Blue Jays' starter José Berríos led to a bench-clearing moment, only to be followed by Raleigh doubling down with a two-run double that gave the Mariners a lead.

As the Mariners continue their road trip, all eyes will be on these players—and with momentum on their side, it's clear that Seattle is a team to watch.