Nicole: The Mariners just blew the Red Sox out 8-3 on Wednesday night, and Jhonny Pereda was absolutely electric with a two-run single that helped spark a four-run inning. But let’s be real for a second—winning one game doesn’t fix a 66-74 record, does it? And right now, the path to respectability in the AL West looks like a narrow road paved with injuries and desperation.
Kevin: That’s right, Nicole. It feels like we’re playing whack-a-mole with this roster. We talked about Josh Smith and Luis Urias being out last week, and now we’re looking at a mountain of guys on the IL. The team is sitting third in the AL West, but they have six games to play against Oakland, who is fourth at 54-86. This isn't just about pride; it's about survival.
Nicole: Exactly. So here is what we are diving into tonight. First, we look at the pitching matchup for Thursday night’s opener against the Athletics. Second, we break down the bullpen fatigue and who is actually available to pitch after that massive win yesterday. And third, we talk about the keys to winning this series and whether Julio Rodriguez can carry the load again.
Kevin: It’s going to be interesting because the A’s are coming off a loss too, but their roster construction is so different. They’re missing Johan Oviedo, Kutter Crawford, and Zack Kelly all on the 60-day IL. That is a depleted staff. Let’s see if Seattle can exploit that or if their own injury list will trip them up again.
Nicole: Before we get to the pitching, I have to ask—did you see the final score from Boston? Eight runs! It felt like the offense finally woke up. Jhonny Pereda had two RBIs, which is huge for a catcher, and Cal Raleigh has been steady behind the plate. But how do we sustain this energy against Oakland?
Kevin: I think the key is plate discipline. Against Boston, they didn't chase as much. But Oakland’s pitchers... well, when you lose your top three starters like the A’s did, you’re relying on depth. If Seattle can force those relief pitchers to work deep counts, they’ll get mistakes over the plate. That’s where the power comes from.
Nicole: So, let’s get into Segment One: The Series and the Pitching Probables. Thursday night, T-Mobile Park. Who is on the mound for Seattle?
Kevin: The data doesn't explicitly name a probable starter for Thursday yet, but looking at the rotation, we have Logan Gilbert, Bryce Miller, George Kirby, Carlos Vargas, and Bryan Woo. Given that we just had a heavy offensive output, the managerial staff might want to go with someone who can eat innings to keep the rest of the bullpen fresh.
Nicole: Right. And remember, yesterday was a win, but it wasn't cheap. The bullpen worked hard. We know Matt Brash and Will Wilson are both out for the season on the 60-day IL. That leaves Seranthony Dominguez, Andres Munoz, and Hoby Milner as the main arms. If the starter goes five innings, that’s a lot of work for those guys.
Kevin: Exactly. And don't forget Cole Wilcox is on the 15-day IL too. Emerson Hancock is also out. The depth chart is thin. If Logan Gilbert is the guy, he’s been solid. We predicted earlier this week that he would pitch five to six strong innings against Boston, and while the result was a loss in Game Two, his stuff has been there.
Nicole: Wait, hold on. Did we predict Logan Gilbert for Game Three? No, that was Bryce Miller. I remember clearly now—we said Bryce Miller would pitch seven innings allowing two runs. And guess what? He basically did that, except the offense scored eight runs around him!
Kevin: I stand by my analysis, Nicole. Miller was efficient. But for Thursday, if they want to secure the series, they might turn to George Kirby. He’s a ground-ball pitcher, which helps when you have defensive issues due to injuries. Or maybe Carlos Vargas? He’s got the stuff to miss bats.
Nicole: Let’s assume it’s George Kirby. How does he match up against the A’s lineup? They’re missing some big bats, but they’re also hitting into worse pitching. The ABS challenge system tracker shows Oakland struggling with umpire calls, which means fewer challenges and potentially more bad calls going against them.
Kevin: That’s a nuanced point. If the A’s are frustrated by umpires, they might get reckless at the plate. Kirby thrives on inducing weak contact. If Seattle’s defense—J.P. Crawford at short, Josh Naylor at first—is sharp, Kirby wins easily. But if there are errors, it gets messy fast.
Nicole: Speaking of defense, Brock Rodden is listed at SS alongside Crawford. Is Rodden starting? That changes the defensive alignment significantly. We need to know who is in the field because every error costs runs in tight games.
Kevin: Rodden is versatile. If Urias is still out, Rodden likely sees time. It’s about platoon splits and defensive reliability. Against left-handed heavy lineups, Rodden might be better suited than Crawford. We’ll have to wait for the confirmed lineup card, but defensively, Seattle needs to be elite to support their shaky bullpen.
Nicole: Alright, let’s move to Segment Two: Key Hitters and Bullpen Questions. The A’s are desperate. They’re 54-86. They’re not going to roll over. Who needs to step up for Seattle?
Kevin: Julio Rodriguez. Always Julio. He’s the engine. Yesterday, he drove in runs, and we predicted he would drive in two runs in Game Three. He delivered. Against Oakland, he needs to continue that momentum. His ability to change speeds and hit to all fields is why he’s an MVP candidate.
Nicole: He’s been clutch. But what about Randy Arozarena? He’s always dangerous in the postseason mindset, even if they aren't technically in yet. And Lazaro Montes made his debut recently. How is he fitting in?
Kevin: Montes is still finding his rhythm. We saw glimpses in his debut, but consistency is key. Arozarena provides the speed and the pressure on the bases. If Seattle gets runners on, Arozarena can steal bases and create chaos. The A’s bullpen is tired; they can’t afford to give away free bases.
Nicole: Let’s talk about the bullpen fatigue. We have Eduard Bazardo, Cooper Criswell, Jose Ferrer, Michael Rucker, Gabe Speier, and Carlos Vargas. That’s a lot of arms, but are they rested? After throwing 8-3 in Boston, how many of these guys are ready for Thursday?
Kevin: This is the danger zone. If the starter goes six innings, you’re using at least three relievers. That means you’re burning arms for Saturday’s game. It’s a strategic nightmare. The Mariners need a long start. If they go to the bullpen early, they risk losing the series finale.
Nicole: And what about Adley Rutschman? Wait, no, that’s the Orioles. My mistake. The brief mentions Adley Rutschman is Day-To-Day, but he’s not on the Mariners. It’s Ceddanne Rafaela who is Day-To-Day for Boston. For Seattle, the injuries are internal. Matt Brash, Will Wilson, Johan Oviedo, Kutter Crawford, Zack Kelly—all on the 60-day IL. That’s a massive hole.
Kevin: It is. And Brendan Donovan is on the 7-day IL for Boston, Cole Wilcox is 15-day IL for Seattle. The injury report is a mess. Seattle has to rely on call-ups and veterans stepping up. Taylor Ward and Dominic Canzone are DH options. They need to produce offensively to offset the defensive liabilities.
Nicole: Taylor Ward has power. If he can get hot, he can take advantage of Oakland’s weak pitching. But it’s not just about home runs. It’s about getting on base. OBP is king in these close games. If the A’s are pitching poorly, Seattle should be scoring in bunches, like they did yesterday.
Kevin: Agreed. Launch angle matters too. If they can lift the ball against Oakland’s fly-ball pitchers, they’ll win. But if they ground into double plays, it’s over quickly. The coaching staff needs to emphasize contact quality.
Nicole: Let’s wrap up this segment with a quick check on the catchers. Jhonny Pereda and Cal Raleigh. Pereda had that huge two-run single yesterday. Is he the everyday catcher?
Kevin: Pereda is having a great year. His batting average and RBI count are up. Raleigh is still valuable for his defense and framing, but Pereda’s bat is too good to bench. Expect Pereda to start most games, especially against right-handed pitching.
Nicole: Okay, so we’ve got the pitching uncertainty, the bullpen fatigue, and the injury crisis. Now, Segment Three: Keys to the Series and a Bold Prediction. What does Seattle need to do to sweep this series?
Kevin: First, limit errors. Every mistake gives Oakland life. Second, get early leads. If Seattle scores three runs in the first three innings, they can manage the bullpen more effectively. Third, Julio Rodriguez must stay healthy. He’s the X-factor.
Nicole: I agree. And I’d add this: Don’t overthink it. The Mariners just beat Boston convincingly. Confidence is high. They need to play loose. If they try to be perfect, they’ll choke. Just swing the bats and trust the defense.
Kevin: Bold prediction time? Okay. I think Seattle wins all three games. Not just takes the series, but sweeps them. The A’s are too broken. Their rotation is non-existent. Seattle’s offense, fueled by Rodriguez and Pereda, will overwhelm them.
Nicole: Ooh, bold! I’ll go with a sweep too, but I’m saying the Mariners score at least 30 runs across the three games. That’s an average of ten per game. Doable against Oakland?
Kevin: If the A’s keep giving up home runs, yes. It’s possible. I’ll stick with the sweep. Seattle finishes September strong, boosts their playoff hopes, and puts fear into the division rivals.
Nicole: We’ll see. But one thing is for sure: the Mariners cannot afford to lose any of these games. They’re third in the AL West, but the gap is closing. Every win counts.
Kevin: Absolutely. This series is make-or-break for their morale. If they sweep, they send a message. If they stumble, the season could spiral.
Nicole: Thanks for listening to the Beatline Podcast Network! We hope you enjoyed our preview of the Mariners vs. Athletics series. If you liked this episode, please subscribe, rate, and review us on your favorite platform. Share it with a fellow Mariner fan!
Kevin: Don’t forget to check the lineup card before game time. The injuries could shift things up until the last minute. Stay tuned for our post-game recap after Thursday’s opener.
Nicole: From Kevin and me, thanks for being part of the community. Go Mariners! Let’s get that sweep!