Overview
The Sacramento Athletics face the Seattle Mariners in the final game of their three-game series on Sunday, August 24, 2025, at 1:10 PM PDT at T-Mobile Park in Seattle, Washington. The Athletics lead the series 1-0 after a 6-5 win on Friday, with Saturday’s game still pending. This AL West matchup is crucial for the Athletics to secure a series win on the road and for the Mariners to avoid a series loss at home. Fans seeking a winning edge can rely on this expert preview, featuring player insights, pitching matchups, and a prediction—unlock more game-changing tips with our exclusive MLB strategies now!
Team Analysis
Sacramento Athletics
- 2025 Record (as of August 23): 59-70, 5th in AL West
- Performance Overview: The Athletics are 7-3 in their last 10 games, averaging 5.5 runs/game with a .254 batting average and a 3.62 ERA. Tyler Soderstrom’s .273 BA and Brent Rooker’s 26 HRs lead the offense, though injuries to Jacob Wilson (arm), Luis Severino (shoulder), and Ross Stripling (elbow) challenge their depth.
- Strengths: Strong offense (.254 BA, 2nd in AL) and a 9-2 record as road underdogs in their last 11 games.
- Weaknesses: Inconsistent pitching (4.05 ERA on the road) and a 33-33 road record.
- Player to Watch: Tyler Soderstrom (1B) – His .273 BA, 23 HRs, 74 RBI, and 4-for-4 with 2 RBI in Friday’s win make him a clutch performer.
Seattle Mariners
- 2025 Record (as of August 23): 68-60, 2nd in AL West
- Performance Overview: The Mariners are 3-7 in their last 10 games, averaging 4.5 runs/game with a .237 batting average and a 6.38 ERA. Cal Raleigh’s 47 HRs and Julio Rodríguez’s .272 BA drive the offense, but injuries to Trent Thornton (Achilles), Dominic Canzone (arm), and Ryan Bliss (biceps) test their lineup.
- Strengths: Dominant home record (37-25) and a 46-10 record when scoring 5+ runs.
- Weaknesses: Struggling pitching (6.38 ERA in last 10) and a 1-7 record in their last 8 games.
- Player to Watch: Cal Raleigh (C) – His .232 BA, 47 HRs, 101 RBI, and 3-for-8 in the series make him a power threat.
Head-to-Head Record
- Historical Context: The season series is tied 5-5, with the Athletics winning Friday’s opener 6-5. The Mariners won 2 of 3 in Sacramento earlier this season (July 28-30).
- Recent Encounter: On August 22, the Athletics won 6-5, with Soderstrom’s four hits and Nick Kurtz’s three hits outpacing Raleigh’s homer.
- Key Insight: The Athletics’ recent offensive surge has given them an edge, but the Mariners’ home-field strength and power bats could make this game competitive.
Pitching Matchups Table
| Team | Pitcher | Record | ERA | Innings Pitched | Strikeouts | WHIP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Athletics | JP Sears (LHP) | 7-8 | 4.98 | 135.2 | 130 | 1.28 |
| Mariners | Logan Gilbert (RHP) | 9-12 | 3.23 | 208.2 | 220 | 1.02 |
Strengths and Negatives of Pitchers
- JP Sears (Athletics):
- Strengths: Decent strikeout ability (8.6 K/9) and a 1.80 ERA in his last start vs. Texas (7 IP, 1 ER). His changeup-curveball mix can disrupt timing.
- Negatives: Inconsistent season (4.98 ERA) and struggles vs. the Mariners (10 ER in 12.1 IP across 2 starts this season), vulnerable to Raleigh and Rodríguez’s power.
- Logan Gilbert (Mariners):
- Strengths: Elite 3.23 ERA, 9.5 K/9, and a 1.02 WHIP, with 208.2 IP leading MLB. He’s 1-0 with a 0.00 ERA vs. the Athletics this season (5.2 IP, 1 H). His fastball-slider combo is tough at home.
- Negatives: Recent fatigue (3.86 ERA in last 3 starts) could be exploited by Soderstrom and Rooker’s hot bats.
Key Players to Monitor
- Sacramento Athletics:
- Seattle Mariners:
Recent Performance
- Sacramento Athletics: At 59-70, the Athletics are 7-3 in their last 10, scoring 55 runs while allowing 41, with their offense thriving in this series.
- Seattle Mariners: At 68-60, the Mariners are 3-7 in their last 10, scoring 45 runs and allowing 64, with their pitching struggling.
Critical Factors
- Venue: T-Mobile Park’s pitcher-friendly dimensions (3.85 park ERA) favor Gilbert’s elite command, but the Athletics’ hot bats could challenge him.
- Weather: Forecasted at 71°F with partly cloudy skies and a light breeze, ideal for a competitive game.
- Momentum: The Athletics’ Friday win and 7-3 run contrast with the Mariners’ 3-7 slump and pitching woes.
- Betting Odds: Mariners favored at -160, with over/under at 7.5, reflecting Gilbert’s dominance and Seattle’s home edge.
Prediction
The Seattle Mariners hold a clear edge in this matchup, driven by Logan Gilbert’s 3.23 ERA and dominant performance against the Athletics (0.00 ERA in 5.2 IP this season), compared to JP Sears’ 4.98 ERA and struggles vs. Seattle. The Athletics’ hot offense, led by Soderstrom and Rooker, could exploit Gilbert’s recent fatigue, but the Mariners’ power bats, sparked by Raleigh and Rodríguez, should capitalize on Sears’ weaknesses. Seattle’s bullpen will likely secure a close win to even the series.
Final Prediction: Seattle Mariners win, 4-2. Raleigh hits a homer, and Gilbert pitches seven strong innings.
Best Bets
- Moneyline: Seattle Mariners (-160) – Gilbert’s dominance and Seattle’s home strength make them a solid pick.
- Under 7.5 Runs – T-Mobile Park’s pitcher-friendly setup and Gilbert’s control suggest a low-scoring game.
- Cal Raleigh to Record an RBI (+135) – His 47 HRs and 101 RBI offer strong value against Sears’ struggles.
This preview, based on the latest trends and stats as of August 23, 2025, delivers expert, trustworthy, and engaging content for MLB fans. Watch live on RSNW or NBCS-CA.
