1st place in AL West will be calling the Mariners' name in Baltimore

Tampa Bay Rays v Seattle Mariners | Steph Chambers/GettyImagesThe Seattle Mariners have spent 49 days in first place in the American League West this season, but none since June 2. There have been some dark times, particularly around when their deficit to the Houston Astros swelled to 7.0 games at various points in July.

Even a month later, however, that all feels like ancient history. The Astros' lead in the AL West is down to just 1.0 game, and the Mariners aren't so much knocking on the door as whaling at it, Jack Nicholson-like, with a newly sharpened axe.

The Mariners have won nine out of 10 since their pre-deadline trade for Eugenio Suárez quite literally sent morale skyward. And while…