Mariners Host Red-Hot Pirates After Royals Disappointment
The Seattle Mariners welcome the Pittsburgh Pirates to T-Mobile Park for a weekend series after a frustrating series against the Royals. The Mariners (45-42) need to bank some wins before a challenging road trip leading into the All-Star break. Meanwhile, the Pirates (38-50) are riding a six-game winning streak and have shut out their opponents in three straight games.
Pitching Matchups
Here's a look at the scheduled pitching matchups:
- Friday, July 4: Bailey Falter (Pirates) vs. TBD (Mariners)
- Saturday, July 5: Mike Burrows (Pirates) vs. Luis Castillo (Mariners)
- Sunday, July 6: TBD (Pirates) vs. George Kirby (Mariners)
Pirates on a Roll
Despite a generally disappointing season, the Pirates are currently playing their best baseball. Their pitching staff has been dominant, and they'll look to continue that trend against the Mariners. While Paul Skenes represents hope for the future, the Pirates' struggles often stem from a lack of offensive firepower beyond players like Andrew McCutchen and Isiah Kiner-Falefa.
Mariners Seeking Consistency
The Mariners' offense has been inconsistent, particularly at home. They'll need to find a way to generate runs against the Pirates' pitching to secure a series win before hitting the road.
The Pirates are coming off a perfect homestand, capped by a 5-0 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals. They swept both the Cardinals and the New York Mets, outscoring them 43-4 in the process. Can the Mariners cool off the Pirates' hot streak?