Mariners Game #43 Preview: 5/14/24, KC at SEA

Michael Wacha vs. Logan Gilbert as the Mariners look to secure a series win

It’s always a fun night when it involves a little light property damage, and last night’s victory against the Royals was full of good fun and goofs. Even George Kirby cracked a smile in his postgame press conference. The Mariners will try to keep those good vibes rolling today against the Royals and secure another series win, what would be their eighth win of their last nine series.

Lineups:

Jorge Polanco will stay out of the lineup tonight as he nurses a sore hamstring; the move is precautionary and not expected to be serious, according to Scott Servais. Josh Rojas will take over at second and Luis Urías will handle duties at third. Logan Gilbert will take the mound and look to improve on a rare clunker last time out.

Opposing Gilbert is veteran Michael Wacha. Wacha has a very deep pitch arsenal, led by his changeup, a pitch the Mariners have struggled with this year. This could be a tough matchup for the Mariners—ignore Wacha’s tough ERA, his peripherals suggest he’s suffered some bad luck. Mitch Garver was a last-minute scratch from the lineup; Sam Haggerty enters in left field, while Raley moves to right and Haniger to DH. With Garver out, Haggerty goes to the nine-hole and everyone else moves up one; Raleigh and France trade places.

The Royals are shuffling their outfield some, putting veteran Hunter Renfroe in right and Garrett Hampson in center. Kyle Isbel remains mysteriously absent for the second straight night against a righty despite being one of the Royals’ better defensive outfielders.

Game information:

Game time: 6:40 PT

TV: ROOT Sports NW, with Mike Blowers and Aaron Goldsmith

Radio: 710 AM Seattle Sports, with Dave Sims and Rick Rizzs

Today in Mariners history:

• 1996: The Mariners get no-hit in New York by Dwight Gooden, who walks six and strikes out five but goes the distance anyway for the Yankees.
• 2009: Félix Hernández pitches seven innings of no-hit ball and the Mariners hold a 2-0 lead over Texas for eight innings but Brandon Morrow blows the game in the bottom of the ninth, allowing three runs to score as the Rangers walk off the Mariners.
• 2021: Jarred Kelenic collects his first career hit and his first career home run all in one go, crushing a two-run home run off Cleveland’s Aaron Civale.