THE CHEAP SEATS with STEVE CAMERON: So, just how to the Mariners plan to make a run this year?

All sorts of things might be waiting for the Mariners over the next several months.

Take some guesses.

OK, I’m going to take some pressure off your thought process today, and hand you three gimmes.

Yep, we’ve got a trio of items that are stone cold locks.

Feel free to take whatever nuggets of information you care to borrow, and hustle off to your nearby legal betting parlor.

(Apologies that most of you will have to commute to Washington for the privilege of a wager, but hey, it might be worth it.)

So, let’s get down to the three sure things.

One has to do with the American League standings, and how they’ll play out come September.

The second and third each involve some mandatory roster manipulations — a search for offense, for relief pitching and finally, for some help on defense.

I know Nos. 2 and 3 sound like I’m suggesting a complete squad makeover — but no, it isn’t quite THAT dramatic.

There are moves that will be absolutely necessary, however, if the Mariners (24-20) hope to play in October.

ONE: Unless some teams do complete flip-flops, Seattle will probably have to win the AL West to make the playoffs.

Most clubs have played around 45 games, and that’s deep enough in the season that we basically know what they’ve got.

Yes, a run of injuries — or several key guys returning from the IL — can change the picture a little bit.

In general, though, what you see by mid-May is what you get.

That’s especially true with a load of teams playing outstanding baseball, and the league has more than its normal share.

Hoping for a wild-card spot after finishing second in the West?

Hmm.

Well, there are only two spots available.

Either Baltimore or the Yankees seem talented enough to get one of them from the East (with Boston and the Rays barely outside the fence).

Then you’re looking at one or two from suddenly beefed-up Central — with Cleveland, Minnesota and Kansas City all looking capable of a wild-card hunt when we get near the finish line.

I suppose it’s possible for the Mariners to find a playoff spot somewhere in the dark (they’re on a pace to win 90 games, heading into a brutal road trip to visit Baltimore, the Yankees and Washington).

But the odds are ugly.

TWO: Scott Servais has to find at least two more high-leverage relievers.

The way things are going, Andres Munoz’s arm will fall off in July — considering he already has four saves of more than one inning.

Servais gave the eighth inning to Austin Voth on Wednesday with a 3-1 lead over the Royals, and he only managed one out before Munoz had to be summoned.

Maybe Ryne Stanek can find his rhythm.

He looked good in the seventh on Wednesday, and his fastball was hitting 100 miles per hour — hopefully a sign that he can be a set-up guy when needed.

Where else can they find help for the pen?

They’ve uncovered excellent relievers under rocks in each of the last two or three seasons, and they may need to go hunting again.

Matt Brash is done for the year and Gregory Santos — the other missing late-inning guy — keeps having setbacks while rehabbing from a muscle injury.

Santos’ return would be a godsend.

They also need lefty Tayler Saucedo back from his leg injury.

Plan B is a trade for someone who’s struggling, an arm they think they can fix.

Plan C is more painful, a trade with a poor team for an actually decent reliever — a transaction that would cost Seattle some talent from the farm system.

Wherever they find some help, though, it’s a must if they’re going to sniff the playoffs.

THREE: There are some players, and positions, that just are not pennant-winning quality.

Luis Urias (BA .154, potentially fatal error on Wednesday) is not a legit big leaguer, and has no business playing third base.

I can’t believe anyone thought that might work. 

Ah, you say Josh Rojas is fine for that spot, but Rojas may wind up playing second full-time — unless Jorge Polanco (.192) rediscovers at least minimum use on offense.

Dylan Moore is an average utility player, but plug-and-play guys like that should make contact instead of striking out 28 percent of the time.

There’s no doubt about a trade in this part of the roster.

They have to do it, maybe more than once.

They need a right-handed bat — perhaps two — for the outfield and third base.

Or even DH.

Anybody seen Mitch Garver (.174)?

We’re assuming here that Ty France has found his stroke and remains the everyday first baseman.

There’s actually an option there, with Luke Raley moving to first and Dom Canzone playing left field.

Oh, and finally.

Julio Rodriguez — remember him? — has to find his mojo.

Soon.

If Julio doesn’t hit, you’re at Plan Z.

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.”