The Mariners’ performance in the American League Championship Series is thought to be influenced by several external factors, according to Nathalie Graham. One theory is a perceived curse caused by a politically negative ad campaign by Bruce Harrell, aired during the games. Another theory blames the Mariners’ mascot, Humpy the Salmon, whose victories in mascot races coincide with Mariners’ losses. A final suggestion is to bring back Macklemore’s “Can’t Hold Us” as the seventh inning stretch song for its energy, after it was replaced following a controversial statement by the artist. The actual reasons for the Mariners’ performance remain speculative.