The Seattle Mariners have clinched the American League West title for the first time since 2001, ending a 24-year postseason drought. This milestone was achieved after a dominant 9-2 victory over the Colorado Rockies, highlighted by catcher Cal Raleigh's historic 59th and 60th home runs, placing him among just seven players in MLB history to reach that mark.

Following a mid-season slump, the Mariners staged a remarkable turnaround, winning 16 of their last 17 games. This resurgence has not only energized fans but also brought the city together in celebration. The playoffs are set to begin on Tuesday, with Seattle entering the postseason with strong momentum and high hopes.

In other MLB news, Major League Baseball owners unanimously approved the sale of the Tampa Bay Rays to a group led by real estate developer Patrick Zalupski. This decision marks the end of Stu Sternberg’s ownership era, which began in 2005. The transition is expected to finalize within two weeks. Under Sternberg, the Rays rebranded from the Devil Rays and achieved notable success, including four AL East titles and two World Series appearances. However, efforts to secure a new stadium site repeatedly failed, with the most recent plan—a $1.3 billion project in St. Petersburg—withdrawn due to delays and increased costs.

Following damage from Hurricane Milton to Tropicana Field in 2024, the Rays played this season at Tampa’s Steinbrenner Field, facing multiple rain delays. Despite sporting a modest payroll, the team maintained a winning home record but suffered low attendance, ranking 29th in the league. Commissioner Rob Manfred indicated that Zalupski's group will renew efforts to find a permanent stadium location. The Rays' struggles with attendance and stadium instability underline the challenges the new ownership will need to address.

In a significant technological advancement, Major League Baseball will introduce the Automated Ball/Strike System , commonly referred to as "robot umpires," starting in the 2026 season. This decision follows approval by MLB's 11-member competition committee. The system will not fully replace human umpires but will allow teams to challenge ball and strike calls up to two times per game, with additional challenges available in extra innings. Challenges must be initiated by players and will be reviewed using digital graphics on stadium videoboards. This move marks MLB’s latest major rule innovation following its 2024 overhaul, which included the pitch clock and defensive shift restrictions.

The implementation of ABS aims to improve call accuracy and reduce contentious ejections, addressing long-standing debates over umpire decisions. While some players and managers have expressed mixed feelings about the change, most acknowledge the system’s potential to enhance the fairness and precision of the game. The upcoming season will be pivotal in assessing the impact of this technological integration on the sport.