THE CHEAP SEATS with STEVE CAMERON: M's talking big; can they back it up?

Is this the year?

Will the once woebegone Mariners break the most hideous streak in North American sports?

Can they really make the playoffs?

Uh …

Maybe.

But who’s going to care during those last couple weeks of the season, as Julio Rodriguez chases Ted Williams – aiming to be the first .400 hitter since 1941?

The Northwest is gonna go bonkers.

What, you think that’s aiming too high for a 21-year-old who has never played an inning of major league baseball?

Hey, J-Rod finished spring training at .412, which would dust Williams (and his ho-hum .406) by six percentage points.

OK, OK, I’m just having some fun and shooting for goals here — and that should ALWAYS be what you’re thinking as the national pastime approaches opening day.

The Mariners, including J-Rod and JK (a new-look Jarred Kelenic, who homered in each of his last three games in Arizona), open the 2022 season on Thursday in Minnesota.

THE LONG brawl between owners and players shortened spring training (Seattle finished just 9-7) and fiddled with the regular-season schedule.

The Mariners were supposed to open at home, but instead, they’ve got a couple of dates with the Twins and then three in Chicago against the White Sox, who are favored to breeze in the AL Central.

Other than their enthusiasm and serious reliance on a solid bullpen, though, you could have trouble recognizing this gang of M’s from last season’s 90-win team.

For one thing, Sports Illustrated’s panel of experts picked Seattle to win the AL West, dethroning the Astros and — quite obviously — ending that playoff drought that seems to haunt T-Mobile Park.

These Mariners, though, not only have more talent than we’ve seen around the place, they’re not afraid to face the 21-year streak without a postseason appearance.

And to stare at it, head on.

“It’s ours to carry,” said lefty starter Marco Gonzales, “so it will be ours to break.”

Fans perhaps expected Jerry Dipoto, president of baseball operations, to go crazy in free agency – landing three or four big-name stars.

On an offense-starved club, though, Dipoto spent big only once, landing Toronto’s Cy Young winner Robbie Ray to lead the pitching rotation.

DIPOTO can trade with the best of them, though, and somehow, he landed three All-Stars without giving up anyone at the top of Seattle’s loaded farm system.

Second baseman Adam Frazier and left fielder Jesse Winker both hit over .300 last year, and third baseman Eugenio (“Call Me Geno”) Suarez hit 31 homers — in an off year.

Ah, but …

There are question marks, of course.

Savvy baseball people will always tell you to ignore spring training numbers, and that’s probably even more true in this shortened spring.

Still, five Mariners regulars hit below .200 in the Cactus League, and Ty France barely crossed the Mendoza Line at .212.

Winker checked in at .067, and one of his hits came when a pitcher fell down trying to field his dribbler back to the mound.

Outfield defense could also be an issue, as Winker is below average in left and Kelenic is not a natural centerfielder.

Perhaps J-Rod, who can run like a deer despite being 6-4 and 228 pounds, will wind up in center.

IT SEEMS more and more as though the Mariners — this year, then in 2023 and beyond — will go as far as their homegrown talent can take them.

Kelenic and Rodriguez are going to hit (if not immediately, then soon).

They’ll do some damage, too.

Right-hander Matt Brash is anchoring the rotation and displays wicked stuff.

At some point, Brash could partner with Logan Gilbert — already an established major league arm — and ready-to-fire George Kirby in the rotation.

Then there’s Kyle Lewis, the AL Rookie of the Year in 2020, who is still rehabbing from knee surgery but is expected to join the party sometime this season.

Ace reliever Casey Sadler, though, will miss the year after shoulder surgery.

These Mariners aren’t seeking sympathy, however. Instead, they plan to kick your backside.

Vets like shortstop J.P. Crawford and outfielder Mitch Haniger say flat-out that Seattle is shooting for the World Series.

“Anyone who comes into our clubhouse better have the same goal,” said Haniger.

Yikes!

Get your playoff tickets now.

Email: [email protected]

Steve Cameron’s “Cheap Seats” columns appear in The Press on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. He also writes Zags Tracker, a commentary on Gonzaga basketball which is published weekly during the season.

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