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AG: Welcome back to a very special episode of The Wheelhouse. Back with me as always is Jerry Dipoto, Jerry, thanks for being here.

JD: Happy to do it as always.

AG: And I say a very special episode because this is the first time in 17 years that I can say the phrase "playoff-bound Seattle Mariners." How does that feel?

JD: Oh man, it's a huge relief, and a huge weight of all of our shoulders. Now obviously, the work is far from done, the work starts here, and we'll look forward to the play-in game against Minnesota next week and hopefully many more games after that.

AG: The Mariners record now stands at 92-63, and after a little dip the week before, once again the team has won five in a row. You've got seven more games, and with a game and a half cushion over the Twins for the opportunity to host that play-in game. What's been the key to the team's success this week?

JD: You know, it's really been a remarkable team, and won that just has not quit in games, even after clinching. We've won at home, with a 43-31 record at Safeco. We've won on the road, we're 49-32 away. We've won the close games, 24-17 in one-run games. We've won in extra innings, as you saw in the last two games. We've had at least a .500 or better record in every month. It's just been consistent, solid effort from start to finish.

AG: Let's look at the game on Saturday, the one where the Mariners actually clinched. A lot of the same things we've seen from Scott Servais all year long. Felix gets the start and goes four innings, but is not sharp, allows two runs and five walks against just one strikeout, so Scott goes to the bullpen early in James Pazos. James naturally strikes out four of the five batters he faces, hands things off to Juan Nicasio, who also gives you a perfect inning. Richard Lovelady struggles a little bit in relief of Juan, and Edwin Diaz comes in with two on and one out in the bottom of the eighth, and uncharacteristically struggles, giving up a double, a single and a sac fly to give the Rangers a lead heading into the ninth. Now a lot of teams would roll over in that situation. Not the Mariners, though, right Jerry?

JD: After it happens so many times you sort of come to expect it. So even when we were down to our last out, I still had a lot of confidence that we'd come through, and we did.

AG: With one on, two out, Robinson Cano and Nelson Cruz both single to tie the score. Mark Rzepczynski and Nick Rumbelow are both perfect in relief. Two innings later, Dee Gordon gets on base and steals both second and third, and Robbie says you didn't need to do that, and blasts a home run to give the M's a lead.

JD: It was truly a great way to officially get into the postseason. And yesterday's game was the same way!

AG: I'll spare our listeners the details- they saw it, after all- but in that one, the M's fritter away a 6-0 lead, before Mitch Haniger homers to give the team yet another win.

JD: It's really a different guy every single night. Robbie had a really big day too, and he's up to a hundred RBI, and another eight-game hitting streak for him.

AG: Well, I wanted to touch on a scary moment too, with Kyle Seager. Kyle took a ball off the temple and had to come out of the game on Wednesday, and then had some blurred vision. How's he doing?

JD: Well, you saw he was able to get back in the lineup yesterday, which was a great sign. We've been exceptionally cautious with him, and thankfully his vision is back to normal, no headaches, really no other problems, so we think he'll be fine for the last week of the season.

AG: A huge relief, to have him healthy.

JD: Absolutely. He's been absolutely exceptional this season.

AG: We're getting to the last few days of the season, and one of the remarkable stories of the years has been Dee Gordon on the basepaths. Nine more stolen bases this week. Now up to 114 on the season, which is the third-highest total since 1900, behind just Rickey Henderson with 130 in 1982, and Lou Brock with 118 in 1974. What a story!

JD: Dee has just been incredible. And it's not just the sheer numbers, it's the efficiency with which he's been doing it. He's been caught just 18 times, which almost makes you think he should be stealing more!

AG: Jerry, I want to keep this brief today, I know you're a busy man, preparing for the postseason. Why don't we take one question from our listeners. Bob from Bainbridge Island- asks who would be faster, Dee Gordon and Jean Segura tied together sack-race style, or Nellie Cruz?

JD: (laughs) I would not bet against Dee and Jean in that one.

AG: The Mariners come home for a series against the A's and then against the Rangers. What kind of reception do you think they'll get?

JD: It is going to be deafening in Safeco this week. It's been a long time since we've packed this many people into that place, and it's going to be hopping leading up to the playoff game, which, fingers crossed, will be at home.

AG: Well, congratulations, Jerry, and good luck with this week.

JD: Thanks. More than anything, we want to make sure everyone stays healthy and in good shape.

AG: We'll wind things up here. Thanks, Jerry, and we'll see you next week on The Wheelhouse.

JD: Thanks Aaron.