The Cincinnati Reds welcome the Seattle Mariners to Great American Ball Park for a three-game series beginning on Tuesday, April 15, 2025. Both teams enter the matchup with identical records of 8-8, making this series opener critical for both sides aiming to gain momentum early in the season. First pitch is scheduled for 6:40 p.m. ET, and fans can catch the action on FanDuel Sports Ohio and Root Sports Northwest.
Both teams are riding high on recent success. The Mariners have extended their win streak to four games, capped off by a 3-1 victory over the Texas Rangers on Sunday, April 13. In that game, catcher Cal Raleigh hit a decisive two-run homer in the first inning, while left fielder Randy Arozarena added an insurance run in the sixth after being hit by a pitch with the bases loaded. The Mariners entered this series with a renewed offensive spirit, having shown signs of life after a sluggish start to the season.
Meanwhile, the Reds are also in fine form, having swept the Pittsburgh Pirates with a 4-0 win on the same day. Cincinnati has now won five of its last six games, showcasing a dominant pitching performance that allowed only two hits in the shutout against Pittsburgh. Second baseman Santiago Espinal highlighted the Reds' offensive efforts with a two-run single in the third inning, contributing to a balanced attack that accounted for all four RBIs.
As the two teams prepare to clash, the starting pitchers will be key players to watch. For the Mariners, right-hander Luis Castillo (1-1, 2.12 ERA) takes the mound. Castillo, a former Red, will face his old team for the first time since being traded to Seattle. He has been effective this season, boasting a 1.12 WHIP and 7.9 strikeouts per nine innings, although he has yet to secure a victory against his former club.
On the other side, the Reds will counter with left-hander Nick Lodolo (2-1, 0.96 ERA), who has been nothing short of spectacular this season. Lodolo has a remarkable 0.70 WHIP and has allowed just two earned runs across his first three starts. His ability to generate ground balls has kept hitters at bay, and he will look to continue that trend against a Mariners lineup that has struggled against left-handed pitching.
The Mariners have a team batting average of just .210, ranking them 25th in Major League Baseball. Their offensive struggles are particularly pronounced against left-handed pitchers, where they have posted a dismal 75 wRC+ and a 29.9% strikeout rate in 184 plate appearances. Despite these challenges, the Mariners have managed to hit 19 home runs, which has helped maintain their offensive production.
In contrast, the Reds have also had their share of offensive woes, slashing .200/.272/.320 as a team. They rank 29th in batting average and have struggled to find consistency at the plate. However, their recent success has been buoyed by the performance of players like Elly De La Cruz, who leads the team with a 92 wRC+. The Reds will need to find ways to improve their offensive output against a capable pitcher like Castillo.
As for the betting odds, the Mariners enter the game as slight favorites at -120, while the Reds are positioned at +100 on the moneyline. The over/under for the game is set at 8.5 runs, reflecting the expectation of a close and competitive matchup given both teams' recent performances.
With both teams looking to establish themselves above the .500 mark, this series opener promises to be an exciting contest filled with intrigue. The Mariners will aim to leverage their recent momentum while the Reds look to capitalize on their strong pitching and home-field advantage. Who will come out on top in this pivotal early-season battle?
As the game unfolds, fans will be eager to see if Castillo can deliver a strong performance against his former team or if Lodolo can maintain his dominance on the mound. Both teams have shown flashes of potential, and this series could be a turning point for either side as they seek to solidify their positions in the competitive landscape of Major League Baseball.
