Game Time: 7:10 PM ET
Location: Citi Field – New York, NY
TV: MLBN
Introduction
The Friday night lights at Citi Field will shine on a matchup that features two arms with contrasting styles: Luis Castillo brings electric velocity and precision for the Mariners, while Sean Manaea looks to keep hitters off balance with deception and movement. Both teams enter this game hungry for momentum in their respective playoff pushes, and with power bats on each side, this one could come down to which starter bends first.
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Seattle Mariners (Last 10 Games: 7–3)
Seattle has surged lately thanks to strong starting pitching and clutch hitting. Julio Rodríguez continues to anchor the offense, while the bullpen has been one of the most reliable in the AL.
New York Mets (Last 10 Games: 4–6)
The Mets have been inconsistent, with timely hitting overshadowed at times by bullpen collapses. Francisco Lindor and Pete Alonso have kept the lineup competitive, but pitching depth remains a question mark.
Probable Pitchers
| Pitcher | Team | W-L | ERA | WHIP | K/BB | Last 3 Starts | Scouting Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Luis Castillo (RHP) | SEA | 11–6 | 3.27 | — | — | — | Known for his high-90s fastball and devastating changeup; excellent strikeout ability with low walk rate. |
| Sean Manaea (LHP) | NYM | 8–8 | 4.22 | — | — | — | Relies on a sinking fastball and changeup; effective against lefties but can struggle when falling behind in counts. |
Key Players to Watch
Seattle Mariners
- Julio Rodríguez (CF): Power-speed threat who can change the game at the plate or on the bases.
- Ty France (1B): Contact hitter capable of producing in RBI situations.
New York Mets
- Pete Alonso (1B): One of the premier power hitters in MLB, always a threat to go deep.
- Francisco Lindor (SS): Switch-hitter with defensive range and a knack for timely hits.
Key Factors to Watch
- Castillo’s Command: If Castillo keeps his changeup low, he could neutralize the Mets’ power bats.
- Manaea’s First-Time-Through: Manaea’s early innings will be key—Seattle’s righty-heavy lineup can pounce early.
- Late-Inning Bullpen Matchup: The Mariners’ bullpen has been more reliable than the Mets’ recently, giving them an edge in a close game.
Best Bets
- Mariners Moneyline (-140) – Seattle’s advantage in starting pitching and bullpen depth makes them the safer pick.
- Under 8 Runs – Castillo should limit damage, and Manaea can keep Seattle in check through 5–6 innings.
- Julio Rodríguez to Score a Run – Hitting ahead of RBI threats makes him a strong candidate to cross the plate.
Final Score Prediction: Mariners 5 – Mets 3
Castillo outduels Manaea, delivering seven strong innings while Seattle’s offense capitalizes on early scoring chances. The Mets keep it close with some late offense, but the Mariners’ bullpen shuts the door.
