With multiple All-Stars lining their rotation, the Seattle Mariners have a number of good options for their opening day starter.
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On Thursday, we found out who it will be.
The M’s announced right-hander Logan Gilbert will take the hill first when they host the Cleveland Guardians in their season opener Thursday, March 26, at T-Mobile Park. It’s the second straight year Gilbert is getting the nod on opening day.
.@logangilbert22 can’t wait to feel the energy on #OpeningDay ⚡️
🎟️ https://t.co/nDNfVGnPRW pic.twitter.com/ls2jQrzxJl
— Seattle Mariners (@Mariners) March 19, 2026
The 28-year-old Gilbert was a first-time All-Star and finished sixth in American League Cy Young voting during a stellar 2024 campaign. He led MLB with 208 2/3 innings pitched and 0.89 WHIP that season, posting a 9-12 record, 3.23 ERA and career-high 220 strikeouts in 33 starts.
Gilbert is coming off a 2025 season where he struck out batters at a career-high clip, but experienced his first trip to the injured list and didn’t typically go as deep into games as the season prior. The 6-foot-6 hurler spent nearly two months on the injured list with a right elbow flexor strain suffered in late April. In 25 games, he posted a 6-6 record, 3.44 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and struck out 173 batters over 131 innings. His 32.3% strikeout rate was second among MLB pitchers who threw at least 130 innings.
In his opening day start last season, Gilbert pitched seven strong innings against the Athletics, allowing only one run on two hits while striking out eight in an efficient 83-pitch outing.
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