Mariners Game #82 Preview, 6/25/24: SEA @ TB

La Piedra looks to bounce back and stop the skid

With just two games remaining on this jaunt through Florida, the M’s will look to shake off a backbreaker of a 4-3 loss, and with Luis Castillo on the mound, things are looking promising.

Lineups:

After a rough first game back from his rehab assignment, Jorge Polanco is bumped down to the sixth spot in the lineup, and Julio Rodríguez returns to the two-hole. Other than that, Seattle is mostly running out their standard lineup against righties. With a bullpen that needed to patch together five innings on the fly last night, any length Luis Castillo can give the Mariners will be paramount.

As for the Rays, seeing José Caballero hit third for the Rays is certainly a sight. Jonny DeLuca, one of the players that Tampa received in the Tyler Glasnow trade, gets his first start of the series in left field, while more familiar names like Randy Arozarena will start tonight on the bench. Former Mariners farmhand Zack Littell will get the start tonight, and he’s coming off a cromulent out against the Twins, having thrown five innings of two-run ball. It would behoove the Mariners to try to top that.

Injury News:

Sadly, Bryan Woo is indeed hitting the injured list with a hamstring strain. As of now, there are no final decisions on who will step into that spot, especially with a litany of off-days on the horizon, but look to see Emerson Hancock or Jhonathan Díaz get a few turns. In a corresponding move, ground-ball specialist Collin Snider will help shore up a beleaguered Seattle bullpen.

Game Info:

Today’s first pitch is at 3:50pm PDT, and can be accessed on the usual channels. Dave Sims and Mike Blowers have the call on ROOT Sports, while Rick Rizzs and Aaron Goldsmith will broadcast the game on 710 AM Seattle Sports.

This Day in Mariners History:

2000 - Tom Lampkin hits a go-ahead grand slam with two outs in the bottom of the eighth inning, as the Mariners beat the Orioles 4-2.