The Mariners will try to reach a new win threshold Wednesday evening.
The Mariners got to eight games above .500 on May 3. Then they lost a couple games. Then they got to eight games above .500 again on May 7. Then they lost a few more. It’s been back and forth ever since. On Tuesday, they reached eight games above .500 for the seventh time in 2025, having yet to breakthrough.
It’s not a necessarily a bad ceiling. Eight games above .500 would land them at 86 wins by season’s end, which is exactly where Fangraphs projected them to finish in Spring Training (as the narrow favorites in the division). But there’s a sense at the moment that this group is capable of something more. With the Astros already having lost this afternoon, the Mariners can set a new standard and gain ground in the AL West tonight in Seattle.
On the mound for the Mariners is George Kirby. If you look at Kirby’s recent stat-line, you’d be reasonably impressed — 3.60 FIP, 59 Game Score, and 1.3 fWAR over his last 10 starts make him a top 20 starting pitcher in MLB. He’s had more Game Scores above 70 than below 50, for instance. But like the Mariners, it does feel like Kirby has left something on the table in most of those outings. He hasn’t gotten past six innings since June 8, and his walk rate (while still good) has doubled from last year. Long at bats have lead to long innings have lead to early exits. He has an opportunity to build some momentum against the worst offense in the American League.
TV: ROOT SPORTS with Aaron Goldsmith, Angie Mentink and Jay Buhner on the call with Jen Mueller as field reporter
Radio: Seattle Sports (710 AM) with Rick Rizzs and Ryan Rowland-Smith