THE CHEAP SEATS with STEVE CAMERON: Despite all their setbacks, this really might be the Mariners' year

Chill out on the Mariners, OK? 

Yeah, they’re in first place in the plodding AL West, but they’ve played 28 games out of the 162 on the regular season schedule. 

Not exactly sniffing the finish line. 

Think of all the injuries, especially to the pitching staff — which currently is missing Logan Gilbert, George Kirby and supreme reliever Matt Brash. 

This gang is going to tumble backwards, so it’s best to bin those expectations. 

Except. 

Ummm. 

Who am I kidding? 

We’re afraid to say it, but these Mariners feel absolutely like the real deal. 

They’ve started on a thrilling roll that will make some previous good seasons feel dreary as a few hours of bird watching. 

On a rainy night. 

These guys have that magic karma, the kind where somebody different gets the big hit, or makes the game-saving play — day after day. 

Think about it. 

Recall the disappointment when we learned that resurgent switch-hitter Jorge Polanco, who has exploded with a .377 average with an almost obscene OPS of 1.145, had suffered a muscle injury to his side. 

It meant that Jorge couldn’t swing right-handed, nor would he able to play third base during the long recovery from the muscle problem. 

NO WORRY. 

The Mariners had planned to make a move down the road, so they just did it on the spot. 

The injury to Polanco meant summoning prospect Ben Williamson — a defensive wizard — to become the everyday third baseman. 

It’s been a great addition, and given the infield the sense of being settled. 

Williamson, who has the hands of a diamond cutter matched with footwork that would make a ballet dancer proud, has displayed every bit of the defense that the Mariners hoped to see. 

A team based on pitching needs to prevent runs, as critically as it scores them. 

The giddy surprise, though, is that Williamson hit the big leagues just socking the baseball. 

Mariner scouts and personnel people insisted all along that the 25-year-old Williamson would eventually begin to hit — and after a couple of seasons, he’d add some power. 

Well, savvy MLB pitchers may find ways to cool off the oven here, but so far Williamson is hitting .310 with a .784 OPS (and his first big league homer, a genuine bomb). 

The bottom line is that the Mariners are scoring runs (99 total, 5.9 per game, second in both leagues since that 3-7 start), and positions that seemed to have the feel of a carousel when they left spring training have begun to get settled. 

J.P. Crawford looks to have rebounded from that awful 2024, and Cal Raleigh (10 homers already) is simply the best catcher in baseball. 

To go the distance, though, these Mariners need a few more things to fall into place offensively. 

For instance: 

Julio Rodriguez needs to catch fire. 

That’s non-negotiable. 

Victor Robles must come back from his shoulder injury sometime this summer, and return to hitting (and running) with the gusto he displayed before he got hurt. 

When we get to the business end of this season, Robles has to be a menace at leadoff, and Julio must terrorize pitchers. 

It wouldn’t hurt if Randy Arozarena were driving in buckets of runs, as well. 

WHY DO we feel nervously optimistic with all these injuries and question marks, then? 

Well, sometimes a team just has IT, you know? 

It, as in the pixie dust that floats over everyone exactly when it’s needed. 

It, as in guys get hurt and replacements just grab the baton and fly off toward a championship. 

You heard about Polanco’s pain dropping Williamson in at third base — like he’s been there all his life. 

Rookie starter Ryan Bliss looked comfy at second base, and he was not only hurt but lost for the season. 

Say hello, once again, to Leo Rivas. 

On the pitching side (which still carries the fate of this team), George Kirby felt that terrible twinge before the season even started — meaning that Emerson Hancock HAD to get outs, and he did it in Boston on the last road trip. 

Now, Logan Gibert is waiting to see if that feeling in his forearm is just a strain or something worse. 

So. 

Prospect Logan Evans was called for his major league debut, and notched a win after five solid innings against the Marlins. 

Yee-hah! 

See, there are actual baseball-type arguments that tell you these Mariners are good. 

Mostly, though, you just KNOW it. 

Meanwhile. 

Laugh if you must, doomsayers — we’ll check you in October. 

Email: [email protected] 

Steve Cameron’s “Cheap Seats” columns appear in The Press three times each week, normally Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday unless, you know, stuff happens. 

Steve suggests you take his opinions in the spirit of a Jimmy Buffett song: “Breathe In, Breathe Out, Move On.”