THE CHEAP SEATS WITH STEVE CAMERON: Chance for M's to distance themselves from rest of AL West

Ready for math class?

Quick note: When I lived a few years in Britain, I had to say “maths” — yes, with that letter on the end, even though the use might be singular.

I never got used to “maths,” unlike phrases such as “car park,” which went in the other direction.

In other words, I STILL say “car park” when we pull into a parking lot.

By virtue of geography, it’s math today.

Or maths, if you want to keep that lovely trip to Stratford-on-Avon in your dreams and memories.

In any case, the numbers are the same.

Specifically, our math class today involves baseball’s Texas Rangers, whose home in sprawling Arlington fills very few people with dreams and memories.

Shakespeare wouldn’t have set foot in the place, either.

You likely know that the Rangers won last year’s World Series — a very unpleasant outcome from the view of the Mariners.

At present, things have turned in a different direction, and even though we’re only in mid-June, Seattle is sitting happily atop the AL West.

The Astros, who had almost acquired a permanent lease on that spot over the past decade, are learning what it’s like to lose.

Watching all that from the Northwest is just plain fun.

ANYHOW, let’s get back to our math.

The Rangers will be visiting T-Mobile Park for three games this weekend.

Starting play Thursday night, they were 6 1/2 games behind the Mariners.

Unfortunately, I’m writing this column before Thursday’s results — Texas finishing a series against the Dodgers in Los Angeles, and the M’s wrapping up a four-gamer with the White Sox.

OK, now for the math.

There are three possibilities ahead of us when the first pitch is thrown Friday night.

The Mariners will lead Texas in the division by 5 1/2 games, by 6 1/2 (as they do now), or possibly by 7 1/2.

That makes a major difference, and of course, so do the three games that wrap up Sunday.

Once again looking at where things could stand Sunday night, the Mariners — assuming good news from Los Angeles on Thursday and so forth — have the outrageous chance to stretch their head over the Rangers to a whopping 10 1/2 games.

I wouldn’t count on that, since Texas whacked the M’s around a bit last year.

But, still, we’re just talking math.

You don’t have to be Einstein (or even a lesser quantum physicist) to figure that the other end of things might not be so joyful.

The Rangers could leave T-Mobile Park on Sunday afternoon just 2 1/2 games adrift of the Mariners.

If you’re optimistic, you might say: “No worries. The Mariners are still leading the division, they got a nightmare series out of the way, and there are a lot of injured players about to return.

Indeed.

After the Texas series, Seattle will have 91 games remaining.

Oh, and with help presumably on the way.

IF YOU perhaps are wondering why I’ve left the Astros out of this blackboard exercise, well, if THEY come all the way back into things, the Mariners will be having a horrible second half.

So, Texas.

Just how important are these games between now and Sunday?

Answer: Very.

If the Mariners have any success at all in the next few days, they’ll still be far enough ahead to maintain breathing space.

Even more important, there would be time for relievers Andres Munoz and even Gregory Santos to get healthy, along with starter Bryan Woo finding a rhythm that’s easier on his arm.

Cross your fingers and light lots of candles on the next item, but we HAVE to believe that the Mariners’ front office will make a couple of daring trades to improve one of baseball’s worst offenses.

They’ve GOT to pull some triggers, while sitting on a chance to win everything.

Without meaning to induce panic into the populace, it’s worth noting that Texas also expects to get some dynamite starters back in the rotation before too long.

Max Scherzer is already throwing rehab games (and looking great), while Jacob deGrom is getting closer to that, and so is Tyler Mahle.

All-Star shortstop Corey Seager missed some valuable time on the IL, but he came back into the lineup on Wednesday and beat the Dodgers with a three-run homer.

Texas is not forbidden from unleashing a major trade, either.

In other words, don’t be shocked if the Rangers mount a serious run during the second half of the season.

Obviously, the more space the Mariners can open in the standings, the better off they’ll be while the club hunts for some bats.

This is a big weekend.

Einstein would have nailed that one.

Email: scameron@cdapress.com

Steve Cameron’s “Cheap Seats” columns appear in The Press four times each week, normally Tuesday through 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.”