Here's how the Mariners can still make the playoffs by winning the AL West

The Mariners ended up winning the series against the Giants, but, they have more on their mind than just the series win. Although that is where it starts, game-by-game, the Mariners are still looking up at the Houston Astros and wondering if they can make up the needed ground to catch their rivals and make a play at winning the division.

31 games remain in the season for Seattle, with 32 for the Astros. They're 6.5 games out of the Wild Card and 4.5 games out of the AL West, so that's what we are focusing on right now. Is there enough time, and are the Mariners good enough, for them to make a push at the Astros for the division?

The Mariners are down but not out

The Mariners are set to wrap up their homestand with a three-game set against the Rays before then heading on a lengthy 10-game road trip that will see them play three against the Angels, four against the Athletics, and three against the Cardinals. They don't need to go undefeated on the road trip (although, wouldn't that be nice), but instead just keep winning series and chugging along to put pressure on the Astros.

The next seven games are actually quite important for the Mariners, not because of who Seattle is playing, but because of who Houston is playing. They have three against the Phillies and four against the Royals. Seattle is chasing the Royals for that last WC spot, but I would rather see the Royals put the screws to the Astros and get closer in the division. If the Mariners go 4-3 or 5-2 and the Astros go 2-5, that lead starts getting tight for Houston.

We will keep checking in on it as the season gets closer to the end of September, but how each team does against their divisional foes could be the determining factor in baseball's final regular season month. Houston has seven against the Angels, three against Oakland, and three against the Mariners (more on that shortly). Seattle has seven against the Rangers, seven against Oakland, and three against the Angels.

Then, there is that Astros v Mariners series. It's the penultimate series of the season. If there are only a game or two seperating those two teams when it comes time to play it, it could end up being the most important series of the season, which is obvious be needs to be stated still. Seattle will wrap up with the Athletics, while Houston actually has Cleveland. Cleveland could be playing for their own division title still, so they could really put the pressure on Houston.

Just over 30 games left with a 4.5 game deficit, but the season isn't over. The Mariners still have a shot to make the playoffs, and the Rays series + the road trip could make or break the Mariners season. If Houston struggles against the Phillies and Royals, we could feel a lot better about the Mariners come next Monday. Let's hope we do.