The Seattle Mariners are in control of their own destiny with 13 games left in the season.

Entering Sunday, the Mariners were 81-68, were tied with the Houston Astros for first place in the American League West and led the Texas Rangers by two games for the final AL wild card spot.

There's a very good chance the division, and the last playoff spot, comes down to the three-game series between Seattle and Houston, which takes place Sept. 19-21 at Daikin Park in Houston. The Astros could have one of their best players return just in time for the crucial set of games.

According to report on "X" from Jim Bowden of The Athletic and CBS Sports, third baseman Isaac Paredes has starting taking live batting practice in the organization's minor league system, per Houston general manager Dana Brown. Bowden's report says Paredes could return for the series against the Mariners "if he progresses."

Paredes has been out since July 20 due to a right hamstring strain. The 2025 All-Star chose to forego surgery to repair the strain, which would have kept him out for the rest of the season. At the time of his decision, it wasn't certain if he would be able to return before the end of the season even without the surgery.

Paredes was one of the three players acquired by Houston in a trade that sent outfielder Kyle Tucker to the Chicago Cubs on Dec. 13, 2024.

Paredes had a solid season for the Astros before his injury. He scored 51 runs in 94 games and hit 15 doubles, a triple and 19 home runs with 50 RBIs. He slashed .259/.359/.470 with an .829 OPS. His batting average and on-base percentage were both career-highs.

Paredes has been a thorn in the Mariners' side since joining Houston. In nine games against Seattle, Paredes has scored four runs and has hit two doubles and a home run with four RBIs. He's slashed .297/.333/.432 with a .766 OPS in those contests.

The two teams have had opposite fortunes heading into their potential division-deciding series.

Seattle entered Sunday on an eight-game win streak, including six consecutive wins at its home field of T-Mobile Park. The Astros were 5-5 in their last 10 contests on the same day.

Even if the division isn't decided in the series, the winner of the three-game set will own the potential season-deciding tiebreaker. The two teams are 5-5 through 10 games in the season series.

If the Mariners win the AL West, it would be their first division title since 2001.