The Seattle Mariners head to Globe Life Field on Sunday, July 26 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 season. Logan Gilbert gets the ball for Seattle against Rangers ace Jacob deGrom in an AL West clash that carries real divisional weight. For a Mariners club that lives and dies by its rotation, this is exactly the kind of test that reveals where this team stands heading toward the stretch run.
Pitching Matchup: Logan Gilbert vs. Jacob deGrom
Gilbert has been one of the steadiest arms in Seattle's rotation, a pitcher who competes deep into games and keeps the Mariners in the fight night after night. The right-hander's ability to generate weak contact and work efficiently through a lineup is what makes him a genuine asset in a game like this one. Against a Rangers offense that can do real damage, Gilbert will need to be precise — especially early, when deGrom typically sets the tone on the other side.
DeGrom, when healthy and locked in, remains one of the most dangerous starters in baseball. The Rangers have built their pitching around him for good reason. His combination of elite velocity and swing-and-miss secondary stuff can make any Mariners lineup look overmatched in a hurry. Seattle's hitters will need a disciplined approach and patience at the plate to give Gilbert any kind of run support to work with.
Keys to Watch for Seattle
- Mariners plate discipline: DeGrom thrives when hitters expand the zone. Seattle needs to work counts, fight off tough pitches, and make him throw strikes. Any walks or soft-contact hits could be the difference in a low-scoring game.
- Gilbert's command through the middle innings: The Rangers are capable of putting up crooked numbers if a starter loses the zone in the fifth or sixth inning. Gilbert keeping his pitch count manageable is critical to giving the bullpen a rest.
- Bullpen readiness: If either starter exits early, the team that gets quality bridge innings wins this game. Seattle's bullpen depth will be tested if deGrom cruises and the Mariners need to scratch and claw for every run.
- Capitalizing on deGrom's pitch count: Even elite starters have limits. If Seattle can string together enough contact early and push deGrom's pitch count, getting into Texas's bullpen could open the door in the middle innings.
Broadcast Information
Sunday's game can be seen on Mariners.TV for Seattle fans. Radio coverage is available on Seattle Sports 710 AM and 105.3 The Fan, with Spanish-language coverage on KFLC 1270.
Prediction
This one figures to be a tight, low-scoring affair — the kind of game decided by one swing or one bad inning. DeGrom is a difficult assignment for any lineup, and the Rangers have the home-field advantage at Globe Life Field. But Gilbert is more than capable of matching him zero for zero into the sixth or seventh. The Mariners steal this one 2-1 if they can get deGrom out of the game by the seventh and make the Rangers bullpen answer questions late. Bank on a one-run game either way.
