Mariners are making noise Nation Wide, and have cracked the Power Rankings Top 5

It wasn't that long ago that the Mariners were well out of first place. As fans, we weren't even really thinking about the division lead, and were focused more on just catching up in the WC race and sniffing that sweet, sweet smell of playoff contention.

When I say not that long ago, I really mean it. On July 19th, they were ten games back of the Texas Rangers, a game under 500 and a game behind the Angels. You had to scroll down to like 20-22 to find the in the power rankings.

Oh how fast things change.

Since that exact point in time, the Mariners have gone an incredible 27-8. As of the morning of the Athletics series, the Mariners sit atop the division on their own in first place, and have cracked the top 5 of the MLB.com power rankings.

The Mariners are 4th in MLB.com power rankings

I think this is well deserved, and I would be interested to hear any arguments against it. They are behind the Braves, Dodgers, and Orioles, and I don't think that you can argue against those three being ahead of them either. The Dodgers have been just as hot as the Mariners, and the O's and Braves have been the best teams in baseball all season.

The Mariners have been playing really well over that 35-game stretch, slashing .281/.361/.494 with 71 2Bs and 62 HR, good for 5.83 runs a game. As it has been all season, the staff has done good as well. They've tallied a 3.26 ERA and a 1.13 WHIP, walking just 2.18 per 9, while striking out 9.43/9.

The Mariners are playing well, and have earned their top 5 ranking. They have a chance to stay hot with Oakland heading into Seattle for a three game stretch. Go Mariners!