The Seattle Mariners close out their home schedule with a Saturday night showdown against the Los Angeles Angels at T-Mobile Park on September 26, 2026, with first pitch set for 9:40 PM ET. Seattle sends Kade Anderson to the hill opposite Angels right-hander Ryan Johnson in what figures to be a meaningful late-season contest. With the regular season winding down to its final days, every game in the standings carries weight, and the Mariners will be looking to take care of business in front of their home crowd.
Probable Starters: Kade Anderson vs. Ryan Johnson
Kade Anderson gets the ball for Seattle in what is a significant opportunity for the young arm. Anderson has been part of the Mariners' pitching mix this season, and a strong outing against a rebuilding Angels club would be a valuable statement as the organization looks toward the future. For Los Angeles, Ryan Johnson takes the mound looking to close out his own season on a positive note.
Detailed ERA and win-loss records for both pitchers were not available heading into this preview, so we'll let Saturday's action do the talking. What we do know is that the Mariners' pitching-first identity doesn't change regardless of who's on the mound — the expectation at T-Mobile Park is always to limit runs and put the offense in a position to win.
Keys to Watch Saturday Night
- Anderson's command: Without a deep statistical track record in hand, the most important thing to monitor is whether Anderson can throw strikes consistently and keep the Angels' lineup off balance. Control will be the story in his start.
- Seattle's lineup versus Johnson: The Mariners need their bats to show up. Late-season games against clubs below them in the standings are exactly the kind of opportunities a competitive team must cash in on.
- Bullpen usage: With the regular season in its final stretch, roster management and how the Mariners deploy their relief arms will be worth tracking closely.
- Angels' motivation: Los Angeles is a club that has faced a difficult season. How they approach a late-September road start tells you something about their professionalism and what individual players are playing for heading into the offseason.
Prediction
T-Mobile Park has been a tough venue for opposing teams, and the Mariners have home-field familiarity working in their favor. Anderson gets the opportunity to build on his season with a quality start, and Seattle's lineup does enough against Johnson to secure the win. Look for a 4-2 Mariners victory in a game that stays close but tips Seattle's way in the middle innings.
Catch the action on Mariners.TV or tune in on Seattle Sports 710 AM. Spanish-language coverage is available on Mariners ES Radio.
