Reds Visit T-Mobile Park Looking to Slow a Steadier Mariners Squad
A Cincinnati team eight games under .500 rolls into Seattle to face a Mariners club sitting right at even — a matchup where the records tell meaningfully different stories. There's no model lean on this one, which means the game itself will have to do the talking.
The Reds (46-54) are in a tough spot, and the standings don't lie. Traveling to T-Mobile Park to face a Mariners team (51-51) that has clawed back to respectability, Cincinnati needs contributions from its best players just to stay competitive. Brady Singer is expected to start for the Reds, and how he handles a Seattle lineup that's been building momentum will set the tone early. On the other side, Emerson Hancock is set to take the mound for Seattle — a pitching matchup that could keep this one tighter than the records suggest, or blow it open depending on which offense shows up.
For Cincinnati, the offensive identity runs through two names. Elly De La Cruz is hitting .280 and brings a dynamic element to the top of the order that can change a game's complexion in a hurry. But the real power source is Sal Stewart — 20 home runs and 71 RBI on the season. Those are legitimate middle-of-the-order numbers, and Stewart is the Reds' clearest threat to do damage against a Seattle pitching staff that will need to account for him. If Singer can keep the Mariners off the board early, Cincinnati has the firepower to steal this one.
Seattle's offense isn't flashy, but it's functional. Randy Arozarena leads the club at .282 and gives the Mariners a consistent presence at the plate. Luke Raley has 15 home runs, making him the primary power threat, while Cole Young has driven in 48 runs — a quieter but steady contributor. The Mariners don't need to blow anyone out; they just need to be disciplined and let their pitching do the heavy lifting. With no model read available for this game, there's genuine uncertainty here — and honestly, that makes it worth watching. A Reds team with real offensive weapons against a Mariners squad that plays cleaner baseball than its .500 record implies. First pitch at T-Mobile Park is set for 3:40 PM ET.