The Seattle Mariners head to Globe Life Field on Sunday, July 26, 2026, for a 2:35 PM ET first pitch against the Texas Rangers in what shapes up as one of the more compelling pitching matchups of the summer. Logan Gilbert gets the ball for Seattle against Jacob deGrom in an AL West clash that carries real divisional weight. With Julio Rodríguez batting second and a lineup that mixes veterans and emerging talent, the Mariners will need to be sharp on both sides of the ball to leave Arlington with a win.

Pitching Matchup: Logan Gilbert vs. Jacob deGrom

This is the kind of arms race that makes mid-summer baseball worth watching. Logan Gilbert has developed into one of the most reliable starters in the American League, bringing a combination of swing-and-miss stuff and elite command every time he takes the mound. He will need every bit of it on Sunday facing a Rangers offense that can do real damage.

On the other side, Jacob deGrom is Jacob deGrom. When healthy, he is simply one of the most overpowering pitchers in baseball. The Mariners lineup will have to be disciplined, patient, and ready to capitalize on any rare mistake. Swing-happy at-bats against deGrom tend to end badly. This is a game where working counts and putting the ball in play matters.

Seattle Mariners Starting Lineup at Texas

• Cole Young — 2B
• Julio Rodríguez — CF
• Dominic Canzone — DH
• Randy Arozarena — LF
• Josh Naylor — 1B
• Cal Raleigh — C
• Luke Raley — RF
• J.P. Crawford — 3B
• Colt Emerson — SS

Keys to Watch for Seattle

Gilbert's Efficiency in Early Innings

Against a Rangers lineup featuring Wyatt Langford, Ezequiel Duran, and Brandon Nimmo, Gilbert cannot afford to fall behind hitters. Texas has enough pop in the middle of their order to make a high-pitch, high-walk outing costly in a hurry. If Gilbert is locating his fastball and getting grounders early, the Mariners have a real shot to keep this game close deep into the afternoon.

Julio Rodríguez Setting the Table

J-Rod batting second puts him in premium run-scoring position behind Cole Young. Rodríguez's ability to do damage in the middle of counts — and his speed on the bases — can force a deGrom who is focused on limiting walks to make decisions he might otherwise avoid. Getting Rodríguez into scoring position early is one of the clearest paths to an offensive breakthrough.

Cal Raleigh and the Middle of the Order Staying Patient

Randy Arozarena, Josh Naylor, and Cal Raleigh form a stretch of the lineup that has to make deGrom work. Raleigh in particular has shown the ability to punish a mistake pitch with power to all fields. Batting sixth, he could be the player who capitalizes if deGrom is laboring late in an at-bat sequence.

Colt Emerson's Development Opportunity

Batting ninth against deGrom is a genuine challenge for any hitter, but especially for Emerson, who is still building his big-league résumé. How he handles a premiere pitcher's stuff — even in a low-leverage lineup spot — is worth tracking as the season progresses.

Prediction

This game comes down to whether Gilbert can match deGrom pitch-for-pitch long enough for the Mariners offense to manufacture a run or two. deGrom's upside in this matchup is undeniable, but Gilbert is capable of keeping Seattle competitive into the seventh or eighth inning. Expect a low-scoring, tightly contested game. The Mariners squeeze out a 2-1 win on the back of a strong Gilbert outing and a timely Cal Raleigh RBI.

Catch the action on Mariners.TV or on Seattle Sports 710 AM. Spanish-language coverage is available on KFLC 1270.