Standings update: Is passing Toronto the only avenue?

Half game back, 41 games to go. Anything can happen.

The Mariners are coming off a chaotic four-game series against Kansas City Royals, winning three out of four. The series win brought the team to 66-55, and just a half-game out of a playoff spot. 

Seattle has one clear route to the postseason and a few other less obvious paths. Today I will break down their conceivable routes to the playoffs, and the teams they would need to pass. 

Toronto Blue Jays

The most obvious team Seattle could pass is the one they are closest to. Toronto is 67-55 and 5-5 in their last 10 games and currently holds the third Wild Card spot. 

With the Mariners firmly in their rearview mirror, it could be easy for the Blue Jays to feel the pressure of being chased. Toronto has a relatively easy path remaining, very similar to the one ahead of the Mariners. 

The Blue Jays will face the Reds this weekend, followed by Baltimore. This tough stretch eases up significantly, with Cleveland, Oakland, Colorado, and Kansas City all in a row. 

If Seattle takes care of business in their generous part of the schedule they should have a chance to be neck and neck with Toronto the rest of the way. Toronto’s starting pitching is very good, and their offense isn’t as potent as many would lead you to believe.

Tampa Bay Rays

The Rays are the team currently in the playoff picture that not many believe could fall out of the playoff picture. After a 13-0 start, the Rays have played close to .500 and recently lost their first-place spot to the Baltimore Orioles.

Tampa has lost Wander Franco, Shane Shane McClanahan, and many more starting pitchers through the course of the season. Franco and McClanahan may be their two best players, and the dark cloud of the Franco investigation could be a distraction.

To add to all of this, the Rays schedule isn’t a cupcake. They play strictly contenders in September, including the Mariners and the Orioles. Tampa is six games ahead of the Mariners and currently sits in the number one Wild Card slot.

Houston Astros

The good news? The big bad Houston Astros are just 3.5 games ahead of Seattle. The bad news? Jose Altuve and Yordan Álvarez are back.

The vaunted Astros are playing their best ball of the season and are healthy, getting terrific production from guys like J.P. France and Yainier Diaz. With just a month left of play anything could happen, but it certainly seems like Houston is gunning for another division win.

Seattle has a chance to make a dent in their division hopes this weekend, but ultimately I would be very surprised if Houston didn’t win the West.

Texas Rangers

The Rangers have led the AL West for the majority of the season, but as of late Seattle and Houston have cut the gap. Texas has a 5.5-game lead over Seattle but just a two-game lead over Houston.

Their starting pitching has been excellent all season behind an excellent offense. Their deadline efforts have vaulted them into a World Series contender, but that doesn’t mean the Mariners can’t catch up.

The two teams will play head-to-head in September, and the Rangers remaining schedule includes a lot of winning teams. If Seattle continues to play well, neither the Rangers nor the Astros are out of reach.