The Mariners had a 3½-game lead in the AL West after defeating the Astros May 23.
Since then they are 8-15. They’ve also lost seven of their last eight road games. So maybe the Cubs are getting them at Wrigley Field at the right time.
For more on the Mariners, here’s Kate Preusser, managing editor of our SB Nation Mariners site Lookout Landing.
After a hot start to the season, the Mariners are playing more towards their preseason expectations. The big difference is the pitching staff, which has been hampered by injury, although the Mariners have since gotten George Kirby (shoulder) and Bryce Miller (elbow) back, and are poised to get Logan Gilbert back soon.
In the meanwhile, young starters Emerson Hancock and Logan Evans have been stepping up admirably in the absence of the rest of the starting rotation.
The problem, as it always is in Seattle, is the offense, which has improved on their league-trailing strikeout rate from last season but still lacks consistency up and down the lineup. They’re obviously driven by Cal Raleigh, in the midst of a historic season, but overall depend too much on home runs.
They’re also hampered by a bottom of the lineup that’s currently carrying two rookies in Cole Young and Ben Williamson, both of whom are still adjusting to big-league pitching. However, the Mariners don’t have the pitching they have been able to rely on in past years to get past offensive shortcomings, as both the starters and the bullpen have struggled this season.
Fun facts
The Cubs have a .680 winning percentage against the Mariners, having won 17 games and lost 8. They have a higher percentage vs. only two American League teams, the Athletics (.708, 17-7) and Orioles (.682, 15-7). Their next best is .568, vs. the Royals (21-16).
At home against the Mariners, the Cubs’ percentage is .727 (8-3), their best vs. any AL club. They are .667 vs. the Blue Jays (6-3), .615 vs the Angels (8-5), .609 vs. the Twins (14-9) and .600 vs. the Royals (12-8).
…..
The Cubs have not lost a series against the Mariners at home. They won two of three in 2007, 2016 and 2023. They won both games in 2019.
In the teams’ four meetings, home and road, since 2016, the Cubs are 10-3.
(Courtesy BCB’s JohnW53)
Probable pitching matchups
Friday: Matthew Boyd, LHP (6-3, 2.79 ERA, 1.165 WHIP, 3.60 FIP) vs. George Kirby, RHP (1-3, 5.96 ERA, 1.364 WHIP, 4.31 FIP)
Saturday: Cade Horton, RHP (3-1, 3.47 ERA, 1.211 WHIP, 3.73 FIP) vs. Emerson Hancock, RHP (3-2, 4.48 ERA, 1.380 WHIP, 4.81 FIP)
Sunday: Colin Rea, RHP (4-2, 3.84 ERA, 1.324 WHIP, 4.14 FIP) vs. Logan Gilbert, RHP (1-2, 2.55 ERA, 0.792 WHIP, 2.16 FIP)
Times & TV channels
Friday: 1:20 p.m. CT, Marquee Sports Network, MLB Network (outside the Cubs and Mariners market territories)
Saturday: 1:20 p.m. CT, Marquee Sports Network
Sunday: 1:20 p.m. CT, Marquee Sports Network
Prediction
See above, the Mariners are slumping and the Cubs are 4-2 so far on this homestand.
Two of three.
Up next
The Cubs travel to St. Louis for their first 2025 meeting with their NL Central rivals. It’s a four-game series that begins Monday evening.
Poll
How many games will the Cubs win against the Mariners?
This poll is closed
145 votes total