For the past two nights I’ve seen the A’s play the division leading Seattle Mariners.

While the A’s and the Mariners square off in Oakland, Anaheim is quietly gaining confidence beating the Rangers.

Will Seattle bury the West this season?

Now that I’ve seen the Mariners up close here’s what I think.The Mariners are a different team from the beginnning of the season.

But then again aren’t we all.

The A’s are still looking for an offense, some consistent starting pitching, some speed on the bases, and ways to create runs.

Seattle’s bull pen is shakier than it was in April and certainly worse than last year’s pen.

Lou Piniella doesn’t have his safety valve, Jeff Nelson to go to in the eighth inning.

Joel Piniero has been pressed into the starting rotation, removing the best long man in the league from Seattle’s relief corp.

Arthur Rhodes looks like he is already overworked. Without Norm Charlton to split the lefthanded relief roll, Rhodes will burn out by mid August.

The Mariners work very hard to crerate runs the old fashioned way, with speed and NL small ball a big part of the offense.

Seattle relies on Mark McLemore, Mike Cameron, and Ichiro to get on and create holes in the defense with their speed.

Trouble is Cameron is in a deep funk, swinging at pitches over his head and many low in the strike zone.

McLemore is a limited role player being asked to leadoff every day.

The big boys John Olerud and Bret Boone aren’t hitting with much authority right now, even though Olerud is still one of the tougher outs in the league.

Reclamation project Ruben Sierra is the best chance for a long hit right now.

And he can be pitched to in tight situations.

Seattle needs some punch on a regular basis and they aren’t getting it right now.

Righthanders are especially giving them a tough time lately and not the big names, either.

You can look it up as Casey Stengel was fond of saying.

Jeff Cirillo has a permanent spot in Lou’s doghouse. He plays a fine third base, but is fighting himself at the plate.

Desi Relaford is a role player, playing too often with Carlos Guillen hurt right now.

Ben Davis is no factor on offense, neither is catcher Dan Wilson.

Don’t get me wrong, this team can still score runs if you give them an opportunity.

They just aren’t as scary. The homers are tougher to come by.

Ichiro is carrying this team at the plate. He bats third and hasn’t hit a homer in 2002.

Can they get away with this combo until Edgar Martinez comes back?

If all this isn’t enough concern for the manager, the Seattle defense isn’t turning double plays with the regularity of last year’s squad.

So, the question remains, can the Mariners hold the fort until the cavalry arrives.

Yes, but they aren’t going to bury the division, meaning there is hope for the Angels and the A’s as the summer kicks in.

Seattle is living off Ichiro and some decent starting pitching, which quite frankly isn’t the worst thing that could happen to the team.

The A’s made a significant improvement to their line up last night with the return of David Justice.

The DH is still groping for his stroke which deserted him two years ago.

But as I have maintained all year, this offense needs a threat in the three or four spot, so Jermaine Dye and Eric Chavez can relax and not have to carry the line up on their shoulders.

Chavez, Terrence Long, Ramon Hernandez, and Dye can hurt an opposing pitcher when they can sneak up on him from the 5, 6, 7, or 8 spot in the order.

If Justice can just stay healthy for 30 days maybe the A’s offense can pick up the slack.

The A’s have zero, zilch team speed. They don’t hit doubles, they don’t hit for average, but they do hit occasional homers when they matter.

The hitters are cripple hitters, meaning they pound the weaker pitchers.

Until the A’s show they can hit the better pitchers in the game, this will be a frustrating summer for the A’s.

Justice’s return may give them that spark.

For the A’s sake Justice better stay healthy.

The Angels are flying on the wings of a fine pitching staff.

Every day they gain more confidence.

Oakland is holding its breath, that when Anaheim plays Seattle they will be able to beat the Mariners, thus keeping this thing close.

After seeing the Mariners, I don’t think it’s out of the question.

Yes, we will have a summer in the American League West.