Sep 15, 2025 - News

Seattle's spellbound surge fuels playoff push

Christine Clarridge

A pro baseball player holds a neptune and raises a hand in celebration after a win. — The Mariners have been on a winning streak since a fan paid a spellcaster to lift the "curse" earlier this month. Photo: Alika Jenner/Getty Images

The Mariners are conjuring wins — and it may not all be baseball magic.

State of play: Frustrated fan Steven Blackburn of Lake Stevens posted on X Sept. 5 that he had paid an Etsy spellcaster $16 to lift a supposed curse off the team so the M's would start winning baseball games again.

By the numbers: After dropping six of seven games before the spell, the M's broke out of the slump on Sept. 6 and 7 with a 28-run explosion against the Atlanta Braves.

As of Sunday, the Mariners had won nine straight games and moved into first place in the AL West at 82–68.

1 fun thing: The Mariners gave a shout-out to the "Etsy witch" on the team's official X account.

Reality check: The Mariners' hot streak isn't just superstition.

Cal Raleigh hit his 54th home run on Sunday, tying Mickey Mantle's 1961 record for a switch-hitter.
Bryan Woo struck out 13 over six innings in a win over the Angels on Saturday.
Julio Rodríguez and Jorge Polanco are racking up doubles while George Kirby matched a career-high, striking out 14 batters versus the Angels.

What we're watching: Whether the enchantment holds as the Mariners — the only MLB team to never make it to the World Series — chase history as they battle the Royals and Astros this week.

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Seattle's spellbound surge fuels playoff push

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