Buster Olney Makes Bold Mariners World Series Prediction For 2026

The Seattle Mariners delivered a memorable 2025 campaign, securing their first American League West division crown since 2001 through an early surge, midseason struggles, and a late push. They locked in a playoff berth on September 24 and battled through 173 games, the longest season in franchise history. In the playoffs, Seattle edged the Detroit Tigers 3-2 in an intense ALDS before dropping a tight Game 7 in the ALCS to the Toronto Blue Jays. Cal Raleigh starred with record-setting home runs, adding to the excitement.

The Mariners wasted little time this offseason inking Josh Naylor to a five-year extension to keep the lineup strong. They also signed catcher Andrew Knizner and former Boston Red Sox outfielder Rob Refsnyder to one-year pacts, picked up pitcher Cole Wilcox in a cash deal, and claimed reliever Ryan Loutos off waivers.

Will the Mariners take another step forward in 2026, building off of their historic ’25 season? ESPN’s Buster Olney certainly believes so. On January 2, in a piece dedicated to bold MLB predictions, Olney forecasted that Seattle will win it all next season.

“This will be the year that Julio Rodriguez fully emerges as one of the game’s best players, Cal Raleigh continues his reign as the best catcher in the majors and Colt Emerson is promoted to the big leagues in May and wins the AL Rookie of the Year Award,” Olney wrote. “The Mariners are early in an extended period of dominance that will resemble what the Astros accomplished from 2015-24.”