*actually fun!

According to Baseball Prospectus' PECOTA postseason odds, the Mariners only have a 14-15% chance of making the playoffs. While that may seem low, however, it was just a little while ago that they stood at a season-worst 7%. By winning seven of their last nine games, they have improved their position by double, and they still have another 15 games to go against Baltimore, Colorado, San Diego, and Arizona while both the Rangers and Angels have to deal with a tougher schedule. Yeah, things get harder at the end of the month, but getting back in the race is getting back in the race, and this team is still very much alive. They just can't afford to slip up.

By the way, Angels update:

• Kelvim Escobar came back over the weekend, showing good velocity, good movement, and poor command. He'll be taking the place of Matt Palmer in the rotation, who I'm just so glad was able to have the best start of his life at our expense.
• Ervin Santana's average fastball was up to 91 on Friday. That shows a little improvement, but this is now five starts over which he hasn't come close to matching his old velocity.