Dan O'Dowd calls out the systemic issue the Seattle Mariners have failed to address

Jack Vita

6 minutes ago

2 min read

MLB Network analyst and former Colorado Rockies general manager Dan O'Dowd returns to the Jack Vita Show to chat about the Major League Baseball playoff picture, with days just remaining in the regular season.

Before diving deep into potential playoff matchups, Dan answers questions from the GM chair, as the Arizona Diamondbacks and Seattle Mariners face what could be some difficult decisions. Both teams are on the edge of elimination. If the Diamondbacks miss the playoffs, it could spell the end of Torey Lovullo's time in the desert. He has made two playoff appearances over the course of ten years. How does a GM make a decision on whether or not he brings back a longtime manager who has worked well with the front office? Dan weighs in, sharing a story about a conversation he had with former Boston Red Sox and Chicago Cubs executive Theo Epstein about how front office members and managers generally shouldn't hold the same position with a club for more than ten years. Dan also weighs in on the Ketel Marte fiasco, after Marte failed to show up for a game, something that has happened now each of the last four seasons.

The Mariners were baseball's biggest disappointment in 2026. The club was outs away from its first American League Pennant ever last October and entered 2026 as a trendy favorite to win the AL. Entering play Thursday, the M's have a 74-84 record and will finish the season with a sub.-500 record. What went wrong for Seattle this season? Dan calls attention to a system issue the Mariners have failed to address, relating it to the Coors factor he dealt with from 1999 to 2014, when he ran the Rockies.

Then, Dan and Jack turn their attention to the National League Wild Card Series, previewing potential matchups featuring the Atlanta Braves, San Diego Padres, Chicago Cubs and Philadelphia Phillies. Which team would Dan least want to play out of the three potential Wild Card clubs? Later, Dan and Jack assess the American League, and chat about the Chicago White Sox' impressive turnaround, which should earn them their third playoff berth since 2008. Lastly, Dan gives a heartfelt tribute to longtime White Sox pitching coach Don Cooper, who tragically passed away on Wednesday.

Check out Dan's booming tech company WIN Reality, which simulates a virtual reality experience for baseball and softballs hitters, in order to improve their swings.