The spotlight shifts to Williamsport, Pennsylvania, where the Mariners (68–56) and Mets (65–58) square off in the annual Little League Classic. With both teams battling for Wild Card positioning, ESPN’s primetime matchup offers plenty of playoff implications.
📺 Coverage: ESPN, 7:00 PM ET
Recent Form
Mariners (Last 5)
- L 3–1 @ NYM
- W 11–9 @ NYM
- L 5–3 @ BAL
- L 4–3 @ BAL
- W 1–0 @ BAL
➡️ Dropped 3 of last 4, but still dangerous with power bats (174 HR on the year).
Mets (Last 5)
- W 3–1 vs SEA
- L 11–9 vs SEA
- L 4–3 vs ATL
- L 11–6 vs ATL
- W 13–5 vs ATL
➡️ Inconsistent but can explode offensively — scored 13+ runs twice in past week.
Probable Pitchers
| Team | Pitcher | W-L | ERA | WHIP | IP | K | BB | HR | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SEA | George Kirby (RHP) | 8–5 | 3.71 | 1.07 | 85.0 | 90 | 20 | 9 | Elite command; thrives limiting walks, but workload is lighter. |
| NYM | Clay Holmes (RHP) | 9–6 | 3.71 | 1.35 | 126.0 | 101 | 52 | 12 | Groundball-heavy arm; can escape jams but prone to walks. |
Kirby’s control (20 BB in 85 IP) contrasts Holmes’ tendency to put runners on — could tilt the edge toward Seattle if they stay patient.
Key Players to Watch
Seattle Mariners
- Cal Raleigh (.250, 46 HR, 100 RBI) — the biggest power bat in this game.
- J.P. Crawford (.262, .355 OBP) — sets the table for the middle of the lineup.
- Julio Rodríguez (not listed but key impact) — can change the game with speed/power.
New York Mets
- Juan Soto (.252, 30 HR, 71 RBI) — always a threat to reach base or go deep.
- Pete Alonso (.268, 28 HR, 100 RBI) — tied with Raleigh in RBIs, clutch presence.
- Francisco Lindor (not listed but essential) — spark plug both at the plate and in the field.
Team Stats Snapshot
| Stat | Mariners | Mets |
|---|---|---|
| AVG | .244 | .242 |
| HR | 174 | 159 |
| OBP | .320 | .320 |
| SLG | .411 | .414 |
| ERA | 3.82 | 3.81 |
| WHIP | 1.23 | 1.32 |
| OBA | .238 | .241 |
- Nearly identical pitching staffs by ERA, though Seattle’s WHIP suggests better control.
- Mariners hold slight HR edge (174–159), while Mets’ lineup is more balanced with OBP and SLG.
Betting Outlook
- Moneyline: Mariners -125 | Mets +105
- Spread: SEA -1.5 (+140), NYM +1.5 (-165)
- Total: 8.5 (Over EVEN / Under -120)
Trends:
- Mariners are 27–19 in day/neutral-site games.
- Mets 26–22 in day/neutral-site games — nearly identical profile.
- Under has hit in 4 of Seattle’s last 6 games.
Prediction
Both teams come in evenly matched, with similar records and nearly identical pitching numbers. Expect a close, playoff-like atmosphere under the bright lights of Williamsport. Kirby’s elite control and Raleigh’s power give Seattle a slight edge, though Alonso and Soto could swing momentum for the Mets.
Final Score: Mariners 4, Mets 3
(Seattle edges the Mets in a nail-biter; Under 8.5 hits.)
