Mariners realize urgency of remaining series

MINNEAPOLIS — Ten games. One road trip. One homestand. And a chance.

That’s what remains for the Mariners as they embark on their final trek of the season, with a three-game series against the Twins starting Friday, then three games at Houston and four final Safeco Field appearances against the A’s.

“We’re keeping it close,” center fielder Leonys Martin said after Seattle squeaked out a 2-1 win in 12 innings over Toronto on Wednesday. “We go to the road now, and we play good on the road. We just have to keep fighting and keep believing. We’ve got a chance. All September has been like the playoffs for us. We’ll just keep playing and believing. That’s the only way we’re going to make it.”

The Mariners’ playoff odds were listed at 14 percent by FanGraphs heading into Thursday’s off-day, which was better than their 2 percent on Sept. 2, when they were 70-68. Despite a difficult 2-4 homestand against Houston and Toronto, Seattle has won 10 of its last 14 to elevate its record to 80-72.

Yes, the games are dwindling. And they’ll have to leapfrog three teams — the Orioles, Tigers and Astros — to gain the American League’s second Wild Card berth. But the path is at least possible, given they’ll face two non-contenders in the Twins and A’s and have a chance to make up ground head-to-head against Houston, which is one game ahead.

• Wild Card …

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