Rest of AL West Doing Mariners Favor So Far, But Will It Last?
The 2026 Seattle Mariners have experienced a series of stops and starts thus far. They have been as many as five games under .500. They recently rode an eight-game winning streak to put them back on track towards leading the AL West division.
However, since that streak was snapped, the Mariners are back to an uneven stretch, going 4-7 since, with two series losses sandwiching a series split in Baltimore.
That’s not the type of success expected of a contender. Sitting at 37-36, that typically is not the record that would lead a division. For example, in the National League, they would be currently eight games back at least of any of the three divisions with that record and would even be outside of the Wild Card picture.
However, given that they are in the weaker American League, their record is good enough to be atop the AL West by just a half of a game over the Athletics despite ranking 13th in winning percentage overall in MLB.
Seattle World Cup Matchday 1 Recap: Egypt and Belgium Draw, Fans Fall in Love with Lumen
SEATTLE — The FIFA World Cup, bigger than ever in its new 48-team format, made its way to Seattle on Monday afternoon as Belgium and Egypt met in their group stage opener. The tournament, spanning 16 cities and 104 matches, will give six to the Emerald City.
Fans showed up in droves for each side, while some locals took off work and school to see international superstars like Thibaut Courtois, Kevin De Bruyne and Mohamed Salah up close. The game didn’t disappoint, as a first-half goal from the underdog Pharaohs set the tone. Then, Belgium's all-time leading scorer, Romelu Lukaku, subbed on in the second half and forced an Egypt own goal mere seconds later. That 1-1 scoreline would hold as fans from the game were treated to watch parties across the city for the remaining two games of the day.
Monday demonstrated the undertaking this World Cup is from a logistical perspective, and Seattle seems to have passed with flying colors. Fans online praised Lumen Field, or Seattle Stadium on account of FIFA’s advertising guidelines, for its design and the noise it can help generate. On the ground, there was no shortage of ways to stay connected with the rest of the tournament as the city truly breathed the game.
What was the experience like on the ground as Seattle introduced itself to the biggest sporting event on the planet?
“There’s a Feeling of Emptiness”: Late Legion Push Drops Seawolves in Semifinal
TUKWILA, Wash. - A week prior, it had been the California Legion who regularly tried one offload too many, who had suffered a few too many penalties, and who had generally gotten in their own way.
The shoe was on the other foot on Sunday night, however, and the Seawolves’ season ended with a loss to the California Legion in the playoff semifinal. The MLR Shield, though it will be ultimately decided in Chicago on June 21, will not be coming to Seattle at the end of the year.
“It’s exit interviews and mop-ups from here on in,” Seawolves head coach Allen Clarke told Emerald City Spectrum. “There’s a feeling of emptiness because we weren’t quite ready for the season to end yet.”
Seattle fought valiantly to the end, taking a brief lead in the second half and getting plenty of chances to pull the score closer or return to that lead as the match continued, but in the end, the Legion triumphed by the palindromic score of 43-34.
“I think the fight was there up until 79 minutes, 40 seconds in, you know,” said blindside flanker Marno Redelinghuys. “Doesn’t matter what the time says on the clock, we always wanted to fight and just get a last try in. It doesn’t matter if the scoreboard says we’re not going to be able to win.”
Gonzaga Finalizes Commitment From French Guard Juwan Ekanga-Ehawa
Exit one young French guard, enter another.
Saturday at 2 PM PT was the deadline for international players to withdraw from the NBA Draft, and to no surprise, Jack Kayil remained in the process and looks to hear his name called early next week in Brooklyn. But the Gonzaga Bulldogs have already been operating on the conclusion that he was never re-routing back to Spokane.
Pivoting to a countryman of Kayil, the Zags have reportedly landed a commitment from 6-5 combo guard Juwan Ekanga-Ehawa, adding the talented 18-year-old into a backcourt that already includes Mario Saint-Supéry and Isiah Harwell. The move marks GU’s seventh added player of the offseason, and its third incoming freshman.
Stock Watch: Which Seahawks Have Edge in Roster Battles After Offseason Program?
Bringing another offseason program to a close, the Seattle Seahawks wrapped up mandatory minicamp with a spirited final practice session highlighted by strong defense, sending the team into summer break before returning to kick off training camp on July 25.
“I feel like it's been great,” veteran defensive tackle Leonard Williams said. “Great attendance from the leaders, from the older guys. Young guys working hard, trying to be sponges of the game, learn as much as possible. To me, I really just see our culture elevate to another level.”
Coming off an All-Pro season, Williams won’t have to worry about his starting job or roster spot being in jeopardy when Seattle returns to the practice field next month. However, several positional groups on offense and defense already have intense competitions well underway that will continue in earnest in training camp, whether for starting roles or one of the final spots on the 53.
Heading into a six-week moratorium, which competitions have emerged as ones to watch once training camp arrives? And where do things stand on the depth chart at those positions coming out of the offseason program?
Washington State Signs Two More California Recruits to Growing 2027 Class
Washington State continues to build momentum on the recruiting trail under first-year coach Kirby Moore, as the Cougars added two more commitments to their 2027 recruiting class this weekend heralding from the Golden State.
Pledging their commitments to the program, cornerback Noah Clark from Inglewood High School and edge rusher Sonasi Maka II from Deer Valley High School in Antioch, California, both announced their intentions to take their talents to Pullman.
With the additions of Clark and Maka II, Washington State now has 14 total commitments in its 2027 class. The Cougars have made California a major priority in this recruiting cycle, as nine of those 14 commitments currently come from the Golden State. The entire class is made up of players from the western region of the United States, highlighting the recruiting strategy being used by the Washington State coaching staff.
Recapping Seasons of Seven Former Gonzaga Bulldogs That Made NBA Playoffs
With the NBA season now officially at its end after the New York Knicks defeated the San Antonio Spurs in five games and the NBA Draft being just over a week away, it’s time to check in on Gonzaga alums who got a taste of the 2025-26 NBA postseason.
From All-NBA honorees to two-way players, the Zags were once again one of the association’s more well-represented collegiate programs. 13 former Bulldogs logged NBA minutes this past season, and nearly all of them took noteworthy steps in their careers – for better or for worse. Seven of them played on teams that made the playoffs, each featuring in varying roles for their respective squads.
Leonard Williams, Seahawks Ready to Take ‘Darkside’ Defense to New Heights in 2026
Mere hours away from school being out for the summer, at least in NFL terms, the Seattle Seahawks could have gone through the motions riding out their final minicamp practice before six weeks off.
But that wasn’t the case at all for the Seahawks, with the stakes clearly raised even without pads on and contact prohibited on June 11. During a spirited two-hour session at the VMAC, while Sam Darnold and Jaxon Smith-Njigba performed their usual theatrics linking up for multiple touchdowns, the defense got the last laughs, stifling all three offensive units in an utterly dominant closing red zone situational drill to the delight of cornerback Devon Witherspoon.
“Whole lotta ass kicking!” Witherspoon shouted emphatically as he jogged to the final team breakdown for the spring.
Long before that defensive beatdown to close out the practice, cornerback Noah Igbinoghene and safety D’Anthony Bell returned interceptions for touchdowns during team scrimmage periods and rookies Julian Neal and Michael Dansby added picks of their own during 7-on-7 red zone drills, giving coach Mike Macdonald’s unit a decisive “win” to wrap up the offseason program.
Kraken Fortify Front Office, Coaching Staff with Pair of Hirings
Much has been made about the Seattle Kraken hiring Sportsology Group to do an audit of the organization this offseason. Clearly, there is an effort to find and fix gaps in development and talent, from the brass at the top all the way down to the bench on the ice.
While general manager Jason Botterill and head coach Lane Lambert remain in place, there has been some shakeup around both men in the Kraken organization. First, Ron Francis stepped down as team president immediately after the regular season concluded. Jessica Campbell left the bench to seek other opportunities after her contract to coach with the Kraken had expired as well.
Over the last week, the Kraken made two hires to seemingly fortify their front office and coaching staff. Patrik Allvin was recently named as a fourth vice president and assistant general manager. Additionally, Pascal Vincent joined Lambert’s coaching staff.
Mariners Forget Fundamentals, Drop Saturday Game 8-3 to Nationals
It seems the Mariners are yet to escape their consistent inconsistency. After having beaten the Washington Nationals 10-2 the previous day, with every starting Mariner position player getting a knock, the team lost 8-2 as the pitching slipped up and the offense took a big step back outside of the ever-impressive Colt Emerson.
But the biggest issue for the team was the defense, which was docked for three errors and looked quite shaky even outside of those official events on the scoresheet. The game served as an example of bad fundamental play across the board and a reason why the team has a losing record in one-run games and just one win after trailing in the seventh. They still have the luxury of playing in the division that they do, but they aren’t forming good habits for the playoffs and the lack of precision has turned what should be a lock in the weakest division in baseball into a 1 ½ game lead over a mediocre Athletics team.
Defensive miscues piled up early, and a would-be clean first became a three-spot for the Nats.
Josh Naylor didn’t have himself a very good game on Saturday, with big misses with the glove and stick. The former came first, with a bad throw in the bottom of the first allowing the Nationals to put together a two-out rally and tack three runs on Luis Castillo.
Washington State Lands Two More Recruits as 2027 Class Takes Shape
Washington State's 2027 recruiting class continued to gain momentum over the past several days as the Cougars secured commitments from two more prospects who fit the program's growing emphasis on winning recruiting battles in nearby Western states.
The first commitment came from edge rusher Tautai Meredith, a 6-3, 260-pound prospect from Lehi High School in Utah. Meredith chose Washington State over a number of offers that included Boise State, Colorado State, and San Diego State, among others.
Meredith becomes the second edge defender to commit to Washington State's 2027 class, joining fellow defensive prospects Colton Ritchter and Sonasi Maka II on the defensive front. While he is currently listed as an edge rusher, Meredith possesses a frame that could allow him to add significant weight over the next several years. If that development occurs, it would not be surprising to see him spend time at defensive tackle during his career in Pullman.
Washington State followed Meredith’s commitment with another addition on Wednesday when safety Nate Obasanjo announced his commitment to the Cougars. Obasanjo, a 6-1, 210-pound safety from Mount Rainier High School, selected Washington State over offers from Utah, Colorado State, and New Mexico.
Two Serbian Players Could Help Fill Holes on Gonzaga’s Roster
With four spots still open on its roster for the 2026-27 season, the Gonzaga Bulldogs are continuing to fire darts down a familiar path.
Serbian teenagers Nikola Kusturica and Savo Drezgić are names to watch as new Zags additions, potentially filling roles as a versatile wing and a secondary ball-handler, respectively. They each have played professionally overseas, with the latter having already logged time in the NCAA.
No stranger to the international scene, GU will run out Mario Saint-Supéry and Massamba Diop in its starting lineup this fall, with Izan Almansa possibly coming off the bench. And for about six months, they had a commitment from German guard Jack Kayil. As is the case for Almansa and many other foreign prospects going forward, there will be eligibility questions with both Kustrurica and Drezgić, not even factoring in the obstacle of outbidding other high-profile programs, but landing these two players would bolster the Bulldogs’ depth and ceiling next season.
Grey Zabel Plows Through Offseason Program, Ready to Anchor Seahawks’ O-Line in Year 2
Much has changed for Grey Zabel since breaking into the NFL as a first round draft choice 12 months and change ago.
Once a wide-eyed rookie making the monumental jump from FCS powerhouse North Dakota State to the Seattle Seahawks, Zabel isn’t trying to stay above water this time around. Rolling into his sophomore season as a key cog in a much-improved offensive line with all five starters returning from a year ago, he now carries the titles of respected veteran, ascending star, and most notably, with a gaudy ring in tow as proof, Super Bowl LX champion.
Even if Zabel downplayed life being much different for him these days aside from being noticed in public more frequently, he’s felt the difference - to an extent - on the field in his first full NFL offseason.
“I think the game's just slowing down a little bit. Not by much though,” Zabel told reporters following the conclusion of Seattle’s mandatory minicamp on Thursday. “You still got a lot to learn, still got a lot to improve. If anything, you just got 20 something games now to go back and watch and figure out how you can improve and what to get better at. But I think JB [coach John Benton] does a great job with kind of having me learn and grow every single day to be the player I want to be come the first game of the season.”
Kraken the Ice: Seattle Shores Up Front Office, Hires Patrik Allvin
The Seattle Kraken shook up their front office by hiring former Vancouver Canucks GM Patrick Alvin, sparking questions about the club’s long-term direction and leadership strategy. Is this a shrewd move born from exhaustive audits or just GM Jason Botterill bringing in a trusted ally with three Stanley Cups to his credit?
Emerald City Spectrum writer Nick Lee spotlights Matty Beniers’ evolution, challenging whether the franchise’s first-ever draft pick can reach top-center status after another solid yet unspectacular season. The episode also dissects Eeli Tolvanen's future as a pending free agent—can his versatility and competitive edge earn him a new deal, or will the Kraken opt for an even younger lineup? Analysis covers roster-building priorities, the impact of upcoming NHL Draft decisions, and how these roster choices set the tone for the Kraken’s next era.
Seahawks Unveil Super Bowl Rings to Commemorate ‘Unforgettable Season’
It’s one of the benchmarks every Super Bowl champion looks forward to. There’s the trophy ceremony immediately after the game to hoist the Lombardi Trophy for the first time. Then there’s the parade through the city streets. The first game of the next season, there is the unveiling of the Super Bowl championship banner in the stadium rafters.
Before that, of course, the players and staff get their coveted Super Bowl rings. The piece of jewelry every football player ever has dreamed of slipping on their finger one day. Some all-time greats never did. It’s always a moment fans look forward to after their team wins the Super Bowl- what will the rings look like? Now we know.
On Thursday night, the Seattle Seahawks held a private banquet to reveal their Super Bowl LX championship rings. The rings were designed by luxury jeweler, Jason of Beverly Hills, in collaboration with Seahawks leadership. Even the reveal itself was magical. Boxes descended from the ceiling and were placed perfectly on the tables of each player, for them to unbox themselves.
WATCH: Defense Dominates Red Zone-Heavy Day 3 of Seahawks Minicamp
Bringing the offseason program to an end and ushering in summer break before training camp, Emerald City Spectrum reporter Corbin Smith breaks down what he saw and heard at the Seahawks' third and final mandatory minicamp practice, including an opportunistic defense racking up interceptions and pick sixes in a high energy session at the VMAC.
Instant Takeaways: Storm Narrowly Lose 7th Straight vs. Sparks
The Seattle Storm played one of their most well-balanced games of the season, but it still wasn’t enough in an 88-83 loss to the Los Angeles Sparks on Wednesday, June 10, at Climate Pledge Arena.
Seattle (3-11) had all five of their starters score at least 11 points, and it shot 47% from the field to the Sparks’ 39%. However, as has been the case recently, the Storm had fewer field-goal and free-throw attempts — resulting in their seventh straight loss.
Los Angeles (6-6) got back to .500 and won its second-straight game. Nneka Ogwumike made good on her return to Seattle with a game-high 24 points and nine rebounds.
Natisha Hiedeman had 16 points to lead the Storm, followed by Dominique Malonga with 15. Flau’jae Johnson (14 points), Awa Fam (12) and Jordan Horston (11) rounded out the top scorers for the Storm.
Previewing the 6 World Cup Matches in Seattle
It's finally here.
Soccer, soon to be football, fans across the Pacific Northwest have been waiting with bated breath for Seattle to play host to the largest sporting event in the world: The FIFA World Cup.
The tournament is bigger than ever in this fixture. Set to span Canada, the U.S. and Mexico from mid-June through mid-July, with Mexico and South Africa opening festivities on Thursday. As such, the field has expanded for the first time since 1998 with 48 teams instead of 32, meaning 104 matches rather than 64.
Seattle will play host to six of those matches, with four group matches through June culminating in a Round of 32 match on July 1 and a Round of 16 match on July 6. With the expanded field, the number of teams qualifying for those knockout games will increase from the top two finishers in each group after three group matches to the top two finishers plus the top eight of 12 third-place finishers, making a 32-team field.
This added opportunity to qualify for knockout games should only benefit the viewers in Seattle, as many of the seven unique squads set to play in the Emerald City are slated to finish second and third in their groups. While any World Cup game is special, the chances of fans showing up to a game lacking real tournament implications are quite low.
While the knockout-match teams in Seattle are obviously TBD, Belgium will take on Egypt on June 15 to kick off Seattle's run while the United States and Seattle Sounders star Cristian Roldan will play Australia on June 19. From there, Qatar will take on Bosnia & Herzegovina on June 24 before Egypt and Iran finish the group stage off on June 26.
What can fans expect to see in those matches?
Rashid Shaheed Full Speed Ahead in First Offseason Program With Seahawks
Playing the role of dynamite on special teams, the Seattle Seahawks midseason acquisition of Rashid Shaheed at the trade deadline proved to be an absolute game changer for the franchise on the way to a Super Bowl LX victory.
Any time Shaheed touched the football on kickoff or punt returns, lightning was liable to strike, especially at Lumen Field. Just ask the NFC West rival Rams and 49ers, who watched the speedy wideout put six points on the board against them with returns for touchdowns in Week 16 and the Divisional Round, respectively, providing instant offense for the Seahawks in the crucial third phase of the game that helped bring a second Lombardi Trophy to the Pacific Northwest.
While trading for Shaheed certainly belongs in the discussion as one of the best deadline deals made by general manager John Schneider due to his three total special teams touchdowns, however, the Seahawks didn’t receive near as much sizzle from the electric receiver on offense as they hoped for after acquiring him from the Saints. In nine regular season games following the trade, he managed to produce only 15 catches for 188 yards and didn’t score a touchdown, struggling to consistently sync up with quarterback Sam Darnold in the passing game as they tried to build chemistry on the fly.
But reaping the benefits of a full offseason working with Darnold after signing a three-year, $51 million contract to stay in Seattle back in March, coach Mike Macdonald expects Shaheed to emerge as a far more formidable weapon alongside Jaxon Smith-Njigba in new coordinator Brian Fleury’s offense in 2026.
‘Just When You Think You’ve Seen it All’: Blissful Mariners Take 6-5 Thriller in Baltimore
“This game’s put years on my life,” said Mariners catcher Mitch Garver after the team’s 6-5, 10-inning victory.
The 35-year-old catcher seemingly left it ambiguous as to whether “this game” referred to the night’s win (one more claustrophobic than a closed-up cave) or whether he meant baseball itself, but in any case, Tuesday’s might be the unlikeliest win the M’s have scratched across yet.
Where Víctor Robles and Jose A. Ferrer failed the Mariners on Tuesday night, Ryan Bliss and Nick Davila saved them. Where Mitch Garver’s lack of a challenge in the bottom of the first led to an Orioles run, his A-plus showing over the remaining nine innings allowed his team to take the win.
The victory required incredible plays from Patrick Wisdom and from a somewhat out-of-position Cole Young. It required the weakest arms in the Mariners bullpen to log two clean combined innings and give some rest for their weary companions. Perhaps most of all, it required grinding, gutsy, going-all-out play from a guy who had played in two MLB games in the previous 365 days.
And it required a man on barely four hours of sleep to make the biggest, most stressful pitches of his life. Isolating the only hero from the course of Tuesday’s game would be a task harder than those that befell both Davila and Bliss. But these tasks were not only reserved for the final innings.
Logan Gilbert put together an unlikely quality start despite being at 58 pitches through two.
Despite a 3.79 ERA going into Tuesday’s game, M’s starter Logan Gilbert has had his share of five-and-dive outings with batters fouling off good pitches and laying off tough filth. Much of it had been due to predictable sequencing, though that issue has been less apparent in May than it was in March and parts of April. The O’s stretched him thin over the first two innings, and with all of four available relievers in the bullpen, there wasn’t much room for inefficiency.
ALL SEATTLE SPORTS, ALL THE TIME
Explore our latest Seattle sports content by clicking on your favorite team(s) below!
