Seattle Mariners Maintain AL West Lead After Mixed Road Trip, Host Washington Nationals

The Seattle Mariners recently concluded a challenging 10-game road trip with a 6-4 record, including a sweep of the San Diego Padres and a split series against the Houston Astros, which tightened their lead in the American League West to just 1.5 games. Despite dropping three of four games to Houston, the Mariners remain optimistic due to their strong pitching staff and offensive contributions from players like Cal Raleigh, who is having a career year. However, Seattle faces a notable weakness against left-handed pitching, which the Astros effectively exploited during their recent series. Mariners manager Dan Wilson was ejected during the final game against Houston, reflecting the team's frustration over close calls in a tightly contested series. The Mariners are set to return home to face the Washington Nationals, who have been showing promise with young talent despite a losing record. Overall, the Mariners are focused on addressing their lineup issues while maintaining their division lead and aiming for a playoff berth.