[jaa36]

Yet another winning month (16-11) leaves the Mariners at 79-54 heading into September. That's the second-best record in the American League, but still four and a half games behind Houston. A playoff spot is all but locked up, as the M's are 5.5 games up on the Angels and 6.5 up on the Yankees in the Wild Card race. It would take a really strong September to overtake the Astros, but we do have six more games against them, so it's possible.

Nolan Arenado is making a strong argument for MVP honors, putting up another terrific month (.327/8/15). He leads the league in home runs and RBI, and he's second in the league in WAR (7.5), trailing only Francisco Lindor of the Indians. Willie Calhoun was an absolute monster in August, hitting .363 with 11 home runs. Anthony Rizzo has turned it on somewhat and has a 13-game hitting streak.

On the pitching side, Corey Knebel pitched 14 scoreless innings, striking out 24 batters and walking only one. Noah Syndergaard got three wins, and also hit a grand slam in a 21-2 rout of the Dodgers. Lance McCullers Jr. returns from injury this week, and the staff now includes seven capable starting pitchers, with Chris Archer and Dinelson Lamet both serving in long relief roles.