It\u2019s impossible to figure out the 2026 Seattle Mariners.<\/p>\n
After seemingly building up a lead they would not relinquish in the jumbled AL West, the Mariners immediately got swept by the Marlins this week in Miami. Yes, the offense has struggled to consistently produce runs, but Seattle\u2019s pitching staff is so good, it\u2019s justifiably using a six-man rotation at the moment. This is not a roster that should be .500.<\/p>\n
Can the club get back on track against the American League leading Rays? Let\u2019s preview this clash and make a couple picks on the DraftKings Sportsbook.<\/p>\n
More MLB Content & Betting Picks<\/p>\n
Mariners vs. Rays prediction, preview<\/p>\n
If there had been a weak link in that aforementioned six-man rotation, it was Luis Castillo, who comes into tonight\u2019s contest in possession of an inflated 4.79 ERA in 2026. However, the veteran RHP\u2019s last seven appearances have been amazing \u2014 a couple have come out of the bullpen in a \u201cpiggyback\u201d role. Since May 25, Castillo sports a 2.72 ERA and a 2.92 FIP over 36.1 innings. The 19.5% strikeout rate in this span does leave a little to be desired, but Castillo\u2019s stuff still passes the ol\u2019 eye test. Heck, Castillo\u2019s sinker touched 97.8 mph in his last outing against the Blue Jays. The 33-year-old has some juice left in the tank.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s a little ironic that Castillo\u2019s pitching opposition on Friday is Nick Martinez. Whereas Castillo is underperforming his expected statistics this season, Martinez is laughing in the face of regression each and every time he takes the ball. Over 17 starts and exactly 100.0 innings, the soon-to-be 36-year-old has maintained a sterling 2.61 ERA \u2014 the third-lowest qualified mark in the AL, trailing only Cam Schlittler and Dylan Cease. However, Martinez\u2019s Baseball Savant page is far less enthusiastic. Martinez owns an eighth percentile opponent expected batting average (.281) and a sixth percentile strikeout rate (15.0%). You\u2019d have to imagine, at some point, Martinez\u2019s .269 opponent BABIP rises and his 85.3% strand rate falls, and he begins looking more like his 4.69 xERA suggests he will. That said, we\u2019re in the midst of a very \u201cRays Magic\u201d type of season. Bet on normalization at your own risk.<\/p>\n
The Mariners\u2019 lineup might also not be a leading candidate in forcing pitcher regression. Julio Rodriguez (concussion) and Brendan Donovan (groin) remain on the IL, and this squad is simply struggling to push runs across home plate. For 2026 as a whole, Seattle ranks 26th in runs scored (381). Over the past two weeks, the team combines a .226 batting average with a massive 26.7% strikeout rate. It\u2019s not what you want to see.<\/p>\n
Mariners vs. Rays pick, best bet<\/p>\n