KCHW NEWS REPORTS

The Seattle Mariners — the hottest team in the American League with a 9-1 record in their last 10 games — are taking their momentum on the road for a nine-game, four-city swing on the East Coast over the next 10 days.

The trip begins Tuesday with a three-game series against the Baltimore Orioles, followed by three against the New York Mets and a finale against the Philadelphia Phillies. One of the Mets games will be a special matchup in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, as part of the annual Little League Classic.

It won’t be easy. The Orioles, at 53-65, have struggled this year after back-to-back playoff appearances, but they swept the Mariners in Seattle back in June. That series came during one of Seattle’s worst stretches, when the lineup featured multiple rookies, injured players, and struggling hitters.

Since then, trade deadline acquisitions Josh Naylor (first base) and Eugenio Suarez (third base), the steady improvement of rookie Cole Young, and the resurgence of Randy Arozarena have transformed the everyday lineup.

Baltimore’s roster also looks different, with key veterans — including Cedric Mullins, Ramon Laureano, Ryan O’Hearn, and several pitchers — traded away. Seattle will still face the Orioles’ top arms: left-hander Trevor Rogers (5-2, 1.44 ERA) and right-hander Tomoyuki Sugano (9-5, 4.24 ERA).

After Baltimore, the Mariners head to New York. The first two games against the Mets will be at Citi Field before both teams travel to Williamsport for the nationally televised Little League Classic on Sunday night. The Mets have been in a slump, losing seven straight and nine of their last 10.

The road trip ends in Philadelphia, where the Phillies have been dominant, holding a 37-21 home record and comfortably leading the NL East.

Seattle is chasing its first American League West title since 2001 and hopes this trip can build on its recent surge. With a revamped lineup and a healthy roster, the Mariners are looking to prove that it’s not just who they play — but when they play them — that matters.