Starting Pitching Matchup
Clayton Kershaw takes the mound for the Los Angeles Dodgers, bringing his extensive experience and repertoire of pitches to Seattle. Kershaw's ability to command the strike zone and induce soft contact will be crucial against a Mariners lineup aiming to finish the season strong. Kershaw relies on his slider and curveball to keep hitters off balance, and his velocity, while not what it once was, remains effective due to his exceptional command. The Dodgers will need Kershaw to pitch deep into the game to alleviate pressure on their bullpen.
Opposing Kershaw is Logan Webb for the Seattle Mariners. Webb is known for his sinker and changeup, which he uses to generate ground balls and limit extra-base hits. His success hinges on keeping the ball down in the zone and trusting his defense. Webb's effectiveness will be tested by a Dodgers lineup that features some of the league's most disciplined hitters, who will look to elevate the ball and drive it into the gaps. If Webb can execute his game plan and keep the Dodgers grounded, he will give the Mariners a strong chance to win.
Dodgers' Hitting Approach
The Los Angeles Dodgers' offense has been a force, demonstrating a potent combination of power and patience throughout the 2025 season. Their weighted on-base average of 0.344 illustrates their ability to consistently get on base and drive in runs. Against Webb, the Dodgers hitters will need to adjust their approach. Webb's sinker is designed to induce ground balls, so the Dodgers will need to focus on staying through the ball and lifting it into the air. The Dodgers' hitters have an collective age of 30 and will look to take advantage of their experience against a pitcher that they have not seen much of. They will be focused on driving the pitch deep into the gaps and into the outfield for extra bases.
The Dodgers' ability to hit for power cannot be understated, they have managed to hit well against sinker ball pitchers in the past and will be looking to continue this trend. Their patient approach at the plate, highlighted by their willingness to work counts and draw walks, also plays a significant role in their offensive success. They will need to maintain this discipline against Webb, forcing him to throw strikes and make mistakes.
Mariners' Hitting Approach
The Seattle Mariners' offense has been less dynamic, with a weighted on-base average of 0.313 indicating a need for improvement in their ability to consistently produce runs. Facing a seasoned veteran like Kershaw, the Mariners will need to adopt a strategic approach at the plate. Kershaw's ability to locate his pitches and exploit weaknesses will be a significant challenge.
The Mariners will need to focus on making solid contact and capitalizing on any mistakes that Kershaw makes. Their hitters will need to be patient and wait for pitches they can drive, while also being disciplined enough to lay off pitches outside the strike zone. Kershaw's curveball and slider can be especially deceptive, so the Mariners will need to be prepared to adjust their swings accordingly. The Mariner's collective age of 28 as a team will need to use their youth to their advantage against the grizzled vet Kershaw. They will need to tire him out and try to capitalize on any mistake pitches he throws later in the game.
Bullpen Outlook
The late innings could prove pivotal, and both teams will rely on their respective bullpens to secure the victory. The Dodgers' bullpen has been generally reliable, with several arms capable of shutting down opposing hitters. Their ability to mix and match based on matchups will be a key advantage. The Mariners' bullpen, while perhaps not as deep as the Dodgers', features several high-leverage relievers who can be counted on to get crucial outs. The performance of both bullpens will likely determine the outcome of this closely contested game. It is worth noting that both teams' bullpen performance has varied depending on the workload and recent usage, making their effectiveness somewhat unpredictable.
Prediction
Given the starting pitching matchup and the offensive capabilities of both teams, this game projects to be a tightly contested affair. Kershaw's experience and ability to command the strike zone give the Dodgers a slight edge, while Webb's ground-ball tendencies could limit the Dodgers' offensive potential. Ultimately, the Dodgers' slightly more potent offense and reliable bullpen are expected to give them a narrow victory.
Dodgers 3 Mariners 2
