Mariners Game #8 Preview: 4/4/25, at SFG
We’ll finally get to see what it looks like when the Mariners play in a pitchers’ park
Some people accuse me of letting Justin Verlander live in my head rent-free, to which I can only reply: guilty as charged. I’d say this is the only time the Mariners will have to face JV this season, but lord knows he’ll end up in Houston by August because the fates have nothing if not a sense of humor. What do you need previewed about him at this point? His plan against Seattle is to get M’s bats chasing fastballs up out of the zone, then steal breaking balls for called strikes in the zone. If they lay off the high heaters, they’re in business; if not, we’ll be at the bar by 3:00. He’s lost a tick on the four-seamer, but if anyone’s capable of pitching rather than throwing, it’s the three-time Cy Young winner.
Today’s game presents a weird contrast where we’re utterly familiar with the opposing pitcher, but the Mariners’ starter is a new face. Luis Castillo—no not that one—will get today’s start, theoretically taking Emerson Hancock’s spot in the rotation but also with the order getting a little reshuffled. As dedicated readers of our Spring Training NRI reports know, Castillo comes to Seattle as a 30-year old who spent the past couple seasons trying to reinvent himself in Japan. He’ll throw a sinker in the low 90s because a starter has to have a fastball, but expect more Logan Gilbert than Bryan Woo in terms of how much he uses it. He’ll rely instead on a decent sweeping slider and a legit change up.
Lineups
Less novelty in the Mariners’ lineup, for better or for worse, depending on your disposition. Polanco’s back, and if we're lucky, we’ll all be spared the obnoxious “dad strength” commentary.
Game Info
First Pitch: 1:35 PT (tune in early, on the Giants’ broadcast for their home opener festivities)
TV: ROOT (and the streaming app!), with Angie’s first appearance in the booth this season
Radio: 710, ol’ reliable
Today In Mariners History
- 1993: The Mariners play in the inaugural game at Progressive Field (nee Jacobs Field), losing 4-3 to Cleveland and Eddie Murphy, who also homers and takes the all-time lead in games played at first base during the game.
- 2011: Nelson Cruz becomes the third player to open a season with home runs in his first four games (Willie May, 1971; Mark McGwire, 1998), and he does it against Erik Bedard and the Mariners
ICYMI
Don’t let Kate’s great piece on Tai Peete get buried by the game.