Series Preview: Houston Astros @ Seattle Mariners

Photo by Houston Astros/Getty ImagesMariners’ Season to Date: In some respects, 2025 is going like 2024. The Mariners figured that their powerful rotation and strong pitching would carry them to their first division title since 2001 in 2025, much like 2024. They hoped that some of their bats might provide just enough offense to provide some support for that pitching staff, just like 2024. However, injuries to key starters derailed some of those early plans. Stalwarts, like George Kirby and Logan Gilbert, missed time due to injuries. What has been surprising is that Seattle is making headlines due to their offense. Led by a career season from C Cal “Big Dumper” Raleigh, Seattle is making as much noise with their bats as their arms. The Mariners aren’t being done in by their injured arms yet. Like 2024, they’ve also experienced a yo-yo of a season. Coming into June, they held the lead in the AL West, but exit the All-Star Break down 5.0 games to the Astros.

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