Gilbert opens up on frustrating 2026 campaign: 'It's not a lack of trying'

SEATTLE -- Logan Gilbert had admittedly begun his end-of-season reflection process before taking the mound on Tuesday night.

That’s not to say that the Mariners’ longest-tenured starting pitcher has lost focus on the fact that the Mariners are technically still alive in the American League West. Yet, even before a 7-0 loss to the Astros that opened this final homestand of 2026, the likelihood is nearing reality that Seattle won’t be playing beyond this weekend.

Gilbert knows it, and so do many of his teammates.

“It's an interesting time, because nothing changes -- you just show up and win every day,” Gilbert told MLB.com over the weekend. “But this is probably the farthest back we've been since I came up, going into the last week or last homestand. So it's not a great situation. We kind of know where we're at.

“It’s kind of a mix of, there's some reflection, and we know we're not where we want to be. You show up every day and try to win. But also, I think everybody a little bit is thinking, ‘What happened this season? Why haven't we played up to our standard so far?’

“It's tough, because there's not really a perfect straightaway answer ... or we obviously would have just done that and figured it out. So that's kind of part of the game -- the ups and downs -- but it's on us to, one, perform better and execute. And then two, to kind of figure it out and get it in gear for the rest of the season and next year.”

Even after Tuesday’s listless loss, in which Gilbert lasted just four innings, the Mariners (73-84) are technically still alive by virtue of the Rangers losing to the Mets earlier in the evening.

However, Seattle -- which was eliminated from the AL Wild Card race on Sunday -- will also be out for the division with one more loss or one more win from Texas and/or Houston, as both are tied at 78-79 with five games to play. There’s a non-zero chance that the 2026 AL West will be the sport’s first division to crown a team with a losing record since divisions began in 1969.

Which makes the Mariners’ shortcomings that much more maddening.

On paper, they have the group’s most talented roster, one that was almost entirely retained after reaching Game 7 of last year’s AL Championship Series. It led to massive expectations in Spring Training, which players -- including Gilbert -- embraced.

“Coming into this year, it's a good spot to be,” Gilbert said. “But by no means can you just expect to show up in the ALCS again. I don't think anybody just threw their gloves out there and expected that to happen. But it is just a reminder that, while it's great to have the high expectations, when the first game of the season comes around, every single day we have to go out and prove it. That's on us, and unfortunately, sometimes you learn the hard way.”

To Gilbert’s point, the blame for what led the Mariners to this point has been wide-ranging.

There’s been the volatility of the rotation, which -- after Gilbert surrendered four earned runs to Houston -- has a 4.70 ERA since the All-Star break (sixth highest in the sport).

There’s been the gassed bullpen, which has surrendered more homers (39) than any since the All-Star break, including two on Tuesday. José A. Ferrer was tagged for a solo shot from Isaac Paredes and Carlos Vargas was ambushed for a two-run blast from Yordan Alvarez, the 41st from the AL MVP frontrunner.

And there’s been the wildly inconsistent offense, which was held to just four hits and shut out for the 15th time on Tuesday, tied for second most in MLB, which dropped their season OPS to .691, second worst in MLB.

“Last year, we earned the right to have those conversations and expectations,” Gilbert said. “But with that, there's obviously a high bar that -- every week, every game -- you have to uphold. And it's not a lack of trying. It's not guys not putting in the effort. We have those conversations throughout the year and in meetings and whatever, trying to figure things out as we're going to get better.

“But at the end of the day, people don't really care if you put in the work. Because everybody in the league hopefully is putting in the work. It's about going out there and performing and winning.”

Gilbert is lined up for one more start, in Sunday’s regular-season finale, which he intends to make. And it’s likely one that will be inconsequential.