The Seattle Mariners are set to face off against the Kansas City Royals tonight in what promises to be a compelling pitcher's duel at T-Mobile Park. First pitch is scheduled for 6:45 PM PDT, and you can catch the action on Apple TV or tune into the radio broadcast on the team's longtime home.
All eyes will be on the mound, where Mariners right-hander Bryan Woo takes on Royals lefty Cole Ragans in a matchup that has the makings of a classic. Woo has been building on his impressive 2024 campaign, consistently baffling hitters with his two fastball offerings. Interestingly, there was some question about his availability after he didn't take his regular turn on Saturday, but no injury or illness has been reported—he's simply ready to roll tonight. Woo has faced the Royals only once before, back in 2024, when he allowed just one run over 5.1 innings while striking out five and walking one.
On the other side, Ragans has had a rocky start to 2025 after a breakout 2024 that was cut short by injury. Control has been his biggest issue—his 15.7% walk rate ranks third-highest among the 143 pitchers who have thrown at least 20 innings this season. Still, his four-seam fastball continues to generate whiffs at an elite rate, so the Mariners' hitters will need to stay disciplined and ready to pounce when he misses the zone.
Speaking of the lineup, the Mariners will be without Rob Refsnyder tonight. The veteran outfielder is getting the night off as he's "a little banged up," according to the team. That opens the door for Connor Joe to get another start, and he's been showing signs of life at the plate lately—what passes for a hot streak in his case. The rest of the lineup looks fairly standard, and you can get a full rundown of the Royals' hitters in Jake's series preview.
In other roster news, reliever Matt Brash has been placed on the injured list with a lat issue after leaving Wednesday's game. The team says they're not overly concerned about the severity, but they'll take a cautious approach. Lefty Josh Simpson has been called up to take his place in the bullpen. Meanwhile, Brendan Donovan's anticipated return during this homestand has been pushed back to the next road trip, and Bryce Miller continues to progress in his recovery—he's scheduled to pitch for Everett on Wednesday. For all the details, check out Kate's latest injury update.
It's a pivotal early-season matchup, and with two talented arms on the hill, this one could come down to which team makes the most of its opportunities. Grab your Mariners gear and settle in for what should be a great night of baseball.