Let me be clear: When you are 59-66 and fighting for your playoff lives every day, there is no good time to face the best team in baseball.

But, in this case, the Seattle Mariners are catching the 77-48 Milwaukee Brewers under the best possible conditions they can.

Now, after winning two-of-three in Houston to gain some confidence, are the Mariners going to be able to take advantage? That's the question.

Let's take a look at the scenarios at play.

The Brewers were eliminated last season by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League playoffs, and if they are going to break the door down and win a World Series this year, they'll likely have to get through Los Angeles.

Well, the Brewers just went to Los Angeles and took three-of-four from LA over the weekend, expounding some demons and spending some emotional capital.

And after the Mariners leave town? The Brewers will welcome in the Atlanta Braves, who, at 74-51, are one of the other top challengers for Milwaukee in the National League. That series is undoubtedly more important to them than the Mariners series because of tiebreaking and seeding scenarios, and it also features a Sunday trip to Williamsport, Penn. for the Little League Classic.

So yes, the Mariners are in the middle of two hugely important opponents, the latter of which includes an unusual one-day road trip. Can the M's catch the Brewers looking past them? Can they catch the Brewers holding some pitching or some bullpen arms for the weekend? It's possible.

Kyle Harrison, who will start for the Brewers on Tuesday, has had a huge breakout season, going 9-3 with a 2.99 ERA in 19 starts.

However, if you look under the hood, he's been more "gettable" lately, for various reasons. Harrison spent time on the injured list with an elbow issue, and then he returned on Aug. 5 against the Pittsburgh Pirates. And while he only gave up one hit and struck out 10 in that outing, he clearly wasn't able to go deep into the game, lasting only five innings.

In his next outing, on Aug. 11, he gave up 10 hits and three earned runs while walking three against the San Diego Padres, lasting just 4.2 innings. He's got an ERA of 3.48 in his last seven starts, surrendering 13 earned runs in 33.2 innings. Perhaps the Mariners can get to him early - and get him out early.

Then, the Mariners will see Dustin May on Wednesday, and while he's delivered two strong starts since being traded from the St. Louis Cardinals, he still has an ERA of 4.13 for the year.

Finally, on Thursday, Robert Gasser takes the mound. The 27-year-old is 3-5 with a 4.54 ERA in 14 starts and is in his first season back from Tommy John. He's only struck out 68 batters in 73.1 innings.

So, look, again, there's no easy way to face the Brewers, but when you miss Logan Henderson and Jacob Misiorowski, and catch them in this schedule pocket, that's about the best situation you can hope for.

With two lefties on the mound for Milwaukee, will the Mariners have Victor Robles and Taylor Ward available? Robles missed Sunday's game with a shoulder issue and Ward has missed four straight with upper thigh inssues.

First pitch on Tuesday is 4:40 p.m. PT.

The most recent edition of the 'Refuse to Lose Territory' podcast is out, featuring conversations about Jerry Dipoto, Colt Emerson, Dan Wilson, Bryan Woo and Brendan Donovan. You can listen here, or you can watch in the YouTube player below: