Is the weight of the opportunity to break a two-decade playoff drought getting to the Seattle Mariners? It would appear that way, as they have dropped eight of their last 12 games, including five of their last six.
Their slide continued last night as they lost their second straight game to the Oakland Athletics, who will be aiming to break out the brooms in this afternoon's finale.
Seattle has managed to keep a healthy cushion for an AL wild-card spot, thanks to the Baltimore Orioles yet to make the most of their opportunities.
But the Orioles won last night against the Detr oit Tigers to draw within four of the Mariners for the final spot. Today and this weekend will be huge for both teams, with the O's set for four at home against the Houston Astros and the M's off to Kansas City after they wrap things up in Oakland.