Yankees vs Mariners predictions
When the New York Yankees hit the field at T-Mobile Park for the climactic series rubber match, there’s a lot to watch, especially with Aaron Judge swinging the bat the way he has been lately. I wouldn’t be surprised if Judge finds himself on base more than once, maybe even launching one into the seats—he’s been on a power tear and looks primed for another big game. With bats like Cody Bellinger and Paul Goldschmidt providing solid contact and a knack for driving in runs, the Yankees lineup has a sneaky depth to it. Don’t sleep on the contributions of DJ LeMahieu and Anthony Volpe either; both have been quietly reliable, and you get the sense one of them might spark a rally tonight. On the mound, Will Warren has shown flashes of poise, and I think he manages to keep the Mariners’ hitters guessing through at least five innings, racking up some key strikeouts along the way.
On the flip side, the Seattle Mariners won’t be an easy out. J.P. Crawford comes into this game swinging a hot bat, and if there’s an early opportunity, look for him to set the table and maybe even come around to score a run. Guys like Jorge Polanco and Cal Raleigh bring significant pop to the lineup, and it wouldn’t shock me to see one of them deliver a key RBI knock—perhaps even taking Warren deep if he leaves something up in the zone. Julio Rodriguez and Dylan Moore both bring that pesky mix of speed and contact, so don’t be surprised if you see the Mariners manufacturing runs with timely base hits and aggressive base running. On the mound, Luis Castillo has the kind of stuff that can absolutely silence even a powerful Yankees offense; expect him to log solid innings with a handful of punchouts and keep his squad in the game deep into the night.
So who’s going to walk away with the series win? My gut tells me this one is going to be tight, probably decided by a couple of big swings or a moment of late-game drama. Both teams boast impressive talent and have the ability to put up runs in bunches, but I’m leaning ever so slightly toward the Seattle Mariners in this matchup. Playing at home with Castillo on the bump, I think they have just enough to edge out the Yankees, especially if they get some early run support and the bullpen holds strong. What do you think—are the Mariners poised to take the series, or is Judge ready to put the Yankees on his back for a clutch win?
