2025-09-17 Mariners at Royals Matchup Preview

Pitching Matchup

The Seattle Mariners will send veteran right-hander Justin Verlander to the mound, while the Kansas City Royals will counter with left-hander Cole Ragans. Verlander's extensive experience and repertoire of pitches will be tested against a Royals lineup that has demonstrated a knack for hitting for contact. Ragans, on the other hand, will look to exploit any weaknesses in the Mariners' approach at the plate, relying on his ability to change speeds and command the strike zone. The success of each team in this contest may be determined by the starting pitcher's ability to limit damage and allow their offense to gain the upper hand.

Mariners' Offensive Outlook

The Mariners' offense, as a whole, has posted a Weighted On-Base Average of 0.313 for the 2025 season. The Mariners will need to find success against Ragans, who will be looking to exploit any tendencies of the Seattle hitters. The Mariners must work the count, and force Ragans into unfavorable situations where he has to throw hittable pitches, as he has had a tendency to get hit around when his pitch counts get high.

Royals' Offensive Outlook

The Kansas City Royals' offense has produced a Weighted On-Base Average of 0.324 this season, a marginal increase from the Mariners. The Royals will need to be selective at the plate and take advantage of Verlander's mistakes. They will also need to avoid getting into pitcher's counts and will be looking to drive the ball early in the count.

Verlander's Pitching Profile

Justin Verlander's experience is his greatest asset, and he uses it to his advantage, but he is no longer the pitcher he once was. He relies on guile and movement to compensate for a slight dip in velocity. His fastball command will be critical in this matchup, as the Royals will be looking to capitalize on any pitches left over the middle of the plate. Verlander's secondary pitches, including his curveball and changeup, will also be essential in keeping the Royals' hitters off balance. How he sequences his pitches will also be critical to success against the Royals, as hitters tend to sit on one pitch and he'll need to make sure to mix up his pitches early.

Ragans' Pitching Profile

Cole Ragans is a crafty left-hander with a variety of pitches at his disposal. He relies on deception and movement to generate outs. His ability to locate his fastball effectively will be key in setting up his secondary offerings. Ragans will need to be particularly careful with the Mariners' power hitters, as they have the potential to do significant damage if he leaves pitches in the heart of the plate. His ability to generate soft contact will be crucial in limiting the Mariners' offensive output. He will need to force the Mariners to be patient at the plate, as he has a tendency to throw pitches early in the count that tend to get hit hard.

Defensive Considerations

Both teams will need solid defensive performances to support their pitchers and prevent extra-base hits. Errors and missed opportunities in the field can be costly, particularly in a close game. The ability of each team's outfielders to track down fly balls and prevent runners from advancing will be essential. Infield defense will also play a crucial role, with both teams needing to make timely plays on ground balls and line drives.

Bullpen Outlook

The bullpens of both the Mariners and Royals could play a significant role in the outcome of this game. If either starting pitcher struggles or is removed early, the relievers will need to be ready to step in and maintain the score. The Mariners' bullpen has the edge in terms of depth and experience, but the Royals' relievers have shown flashes of brilliance this season. How each team manages its bullpen will be a key factor in determining the winner.

Intangibles

With the game being played at Kauffman Stadium, the Royals should have a slight advantage in terms of crowd support. The atmosphere can be electric, and the home crowd can provide a boost to the Royals' players. However, the Mariners are a veteran team that is accustomed to playing in hostile environments. They will not be intimidated by the crowd and will be focused on executing their game plan.

Predicted Score: Mariners 4, Royals 5