As the sun sets over T-Mobile Park, the excitement is palpable. The Seattle Mariners are set to kick off their 2025 season against the Oakland Athletics on Thursday, March 27, at 10:10 p.m. ET. This year, Mariners fans have more reasons to be optimistic than ever, as their team enters the season after four consecutive years of winning at least 85 games. With aspirations not only for the American League West title but also for their first World Series appearance in franchise history, the stakes are high.
For those looking to catch the action, the game will be broadcast on ROOT Sports NW and NBC Sports California, with streaming options available on the ROOT Sports Stream app and MLB.tv. The Mariners are led by a talented roster, including key players like Cal Raleigh, who hit 34 home runs and drove in 100 runs last season, and Julio Rodríguez, who contributed 20 homers and 68 RBIs.
On the mound, Logan Gilbert will take the ball for the Mariners, making his first start of the season. Gilbert, who last pitched on September 29, 2024, against the Athletics, finished the previous season with a 3.23 ERA and a 0.887 WHIP. He will face off against Luis Severino, who is also making his season debut for the Athletics. Severino had a solid 2024, finishing with an 11-7 record and a 3.91 ERA.
The Mariners' pitching staff is a significant reason for their optimism this season. They had the best rotation in baseball last year, with Gilbert, Luis Castillo, George Kirby, Bryce Miller, and Bryan Woo combining for a total of 149 starts. This rotation is expected to be a cornerstone for the team's success, especially if they can replicate their previous performance, which included 88 quality starts and a 59-29 record in those games.
However, the Mariners also face challenges. Injuries have plagued the team, with Jackson Kowar on the 60-day injured list due to an elbow issue. Additionally, Kirby will start the season on the injured list with a sore shoulder, which could impact the rotation's depth. Last season, the bullpen struggled, ranking 26th in the league for wins above replacement, and the team is counting on the return of Matt Brash and Kowar to bolster their relief corps.
Offensively, the Mariners had a rocky start to the 2024 season, struggling with a .216 batting average and a high strikeout rate. However, after the hiring of hitting coach Edgar Martinez, the team showed significant improvement in the latter part of the season, averaging 5.1 runs per game over their final 34 games. This turnaround is a hopeful sign for the 2025 season, as players like Rodríguez aim to carry that momentum forward.
As the Mariners prepare for Opening Day, the excitement is not just about the game itself but also about the broader implications for the franchise. After a long playoff drought, the Mariners made their postseason return in 2022, and expectations have only grown since then. Fans are eager to see if the team can build on their recent successes and finally secure a spot in the World Series.
The Mariners will also be featured in 13 nationally televised games throughout the season, showcasing their talent to a broader audience. With a mix of seasoned veterans and emerging stars, they are hoping to make a significant impact in the league this year.
In summary, the Mariners are entering the 2025 season with high hopes and a roster that has the potential to compete at the highest level. As they take the field against the Athletics for Opening Day, fans are reminded that every new season brings fresh opportunities and challenges. Will the Mariners rise to the occasion and fulfill their promise this year? Only time will tell, but for now, the excitement is undeniable.
