Mariners Tackle Challenging Road Trip After Strong Homestand

SEATTLE, Wash. — The Seattle Mariners are set to embark on their first long road trip of the season after a successful 5-1 homestand that brought them back to a .500 record. This marks a significant turnaround after a slow start to the year.

After a disappointing extra-innings loss to the Texas Rangers on April 10, the Mariners quickly rebounded, with the offense delivering a series of timely hits. Impressively, nearly 40% of Seattle’s total runs this season have been scored in the seventh inning or later. Their resilience will be tested as they head to Cincinnati for a three-game series, followed by additional stops in Toronto and Boston.

The series kicks off with Game 1 on April 15 at 3:40 p.m. PDT, featuring Seattle’s Luis Castillo facing Cincinnati’s Nick Lodolo. Game 2 follows on April 16, with Bryce Miller going against Nick Martinez, and the final game on April 17 marking a change in start times to an early 9:40 a.m. PDT.

Currently, the Mariners rank sixth in the American League with a 104 wRC+ batting average, while their pitching holds a strong third in the league with a FIP of 92. Cincinnati, on the other hand, is still amid a rebuilding phase, sporting a wRC+ of 87, the twelfth in the National League.

Elly De La Cruz has emerged as a key player for the Reds, showcasing his exceptional skill set despite a team injury crisis. Prominent players such as Matt McLain and Tyler Stephenson are on the injured list, which has limited their offensive production. Even with a +11 run differential, Cincinnati has scored the fourth fewest runs in the league.

The Mariners’ rotation looks to capitalize on Cincinnati’s vulnerability. Castillo, one of the Mariners’ prominent pitchers, boasts an impressive 3.64 ERA over his innings pitched this season, while his FIP stands at 3.91. Contrastingly, Lodolo, who brings an unorthodox arm angle that can confuse hitters, has struggled with left-handed batters in his career.

Cincinnati’s opening pitcher, Nick Martinez, has had a solid start this season, accumulating a 3.10 ERA and a FIP of 3.21, which speaks to his ability to induce weak contact consistently. Martinez has benefitted from a mix of pitches and effective command, helping to keep opposing batters off balance.

As the Mariners prepare for this road trip, their performance in Cincinnati will set the tone for what lies ahead against both Toronto and Boston. Team dynamics can shift significantly with momentum, and Seattle hopes to build on their recent successes to climb further in the standings.