SEATTLE -- It¡¯s been nearly six months since the 2024 regular season ended, but the Athletics and Mariners will pick up right where they left off, having finished last year facing each other at T-Mobile Park, which is where they will meet Thursday on Opening Day.
In some ways, much has changed since that three-game series in September, but in others, things have remained the same.
The A¡¯s have moved from Oakland to West Sacramento, made a few splashy free-agent signings, extended a few core players and have been a trendy pick to surprise in 2025. The Mariners, meanwhile, are mostly running it back with the roster that won 85 games but finished as the first team on the outside looking in to the American League postseason field.
The AL West has run through the state of Texas for most of the past decade -- the Astros have won the division eight of the past nine years and the Rangers won the World Series title in 2023 as a Wild Card team -- but the A¡¯s and Mariners are hoping to close in on those Lone Star State rivals in 2025, and it all begins on Thursday.
When is the game and how can I watch it?
First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. PT on Thursday on MLB.TV. NBC Sports California and ROOT Sports will broadcast the game in their local markets, while Talk 650 KSTE, A¡¯s Cast and 710 Seattle Sports will air the game on the radio. The game will also be streamed on ATHLETICS.TV for local fans.
What are the lineups?
Mariners: With the A¡¯s starting righty Luis Severino, their prized offseason free-agent acquisition, Mariners manager Dan Wilson deploys a starting nine capable of a right-left mix throughout.
- Victor Robles, RF
- Julio Rodríguez, CF
- Cal Raleigh, C
- Randy Arozarena, LF
- Luke Raley, DH
- Jorge Polanco, 3B
- Rowdy Tellez, 1B
- Ryan Bliss, 2B
- J.P. Crawford, SS
Athletics: Between Lawrence Butler, Brent Rooker, JJ Bleday and Shea Langeliers -- a foursome that bashed 110 home runs last season -- the A¡¯s project to have one of the more potent offenses in baseball in 2025. With Zack Gelof beginning the season on the injured list, second base could see a mix that includes Luis Ur¨ªas and Max Schuemann in addition to Max Muncy, the A¡¯s No. 7 prospect.
- Lawrence Butler, RF
- Brent Rooker, DH
- JJ Bleday, CF
- Shea Langeliers, C
- Miguel Andujar, LF
- Tyler Soderstrom, 1B
- Gio Urshela, 3B
- Max Muncy, 2B
- Jacob Wilson, SS
Who are the starting pitchers?
Mariners: Logan Gilbert will make his first career Opening Day start on the heels of a 2024 season in which he earned his first All-Star selection and finished sixth in American League Cy Young Award voting. The decision, made by Wilson, was between Gilbert and staff veteran Luis Castillo, who started the opener each of the past two seasons. Castillo was a worthy choice but didn¡¯t have as dominant of a 2024 as Gilbert. The towering righty made three starts vs. the A¡¯s last year and was mostly untouchable, going 3-0 with a 2.41 ERA while holding them to a .474 OPS.
Athletics: Luis Severino, who signed a three-year, $67 million deal with the A¡¯s this offseason, earned his second career Opening Day nod as he enters his 10th big league season. The veteran right-hander bounced back with the Mets in 2024 following a string of injury-riddled seasons with the Yankees, posting a 3.91 ERA with 161 strikeouts over 182 innings in 31 starts. While he showcased a four-seamer that averaged 96.2 mph in ¡¯24, the nine-year Major League veteran is a much different pitcher from the young electric arm who finished third in AL Cy Young Award voting in 2017.
This version of Severino is a lot more polished, having evolved from a hard-thrower to a true pitcher who relies more on soft contact than whiffs to get hitters out -- especially using an excellent sweeper against which opponents hit .139 last season. Severino provided a glimpse of why the A¡¯s felt he was worthy of receiving the largest contract in franchise history this spring, as his fastball frequently touched 97 mph and sat around 94-95 mph throughout his outings. He also quickly established himself as a leader for a mostly young pitching staff, developing a close bond with fellow Dominican right-hander Osvaldo Bido.
How might the bullpens line up after the starter?
Mariners: This will be of intrigue beyond Thursday, given that this group was among the most consistent from 2021-23 but experienced some regression in ¡®24, largely due to injuries and/or underperformance. Yet many within that group are either healthy, have bounced back in Spring Training or both -- most notably, Gregory Santos and Gabe Speier. The newcomer is Carlos Vargas, who was on the 40-man roster throughout last season but never reached the Majors. But he was out of Minor League options, so the Mariners will give him a shot. Andr¨¦s Mu?oz remains the closer and might unveil his new kick-changeup that was all the rave in camp.
Athletics: All-Star closer Mason Miller headlines an A¡¯s bullpen that combined for a 3.83 ERA in 2024 -- 13th-lowest in the Majors. The relief corps was bolstered with the addition of Jos¨¦ Leclerc, who likely slots in as the top setup option. Other high-leverage relievers include Tyler Ferguson, T.J. McFarland, Rule 5 Draft pick Noah Murdock and Justin Sterner, a waiver claim from the Rays this offseason who earned his way onto the team this spring by not allowing an earned run in his 10 outings while striking out 17 batters and walking only two in 12 innings. Hogan Harris and Mitch Spence both can provide length, though manager Mark Kotsay also feels comfortable utilizing both in higher leverage roles if needed.
Any injuries of note?
Mariners: Right fielder Victor Robles dealt with a minor scare on Saturday after a hit-by-pitch that necessitated X-rays, though he returned to the lineup for Seattle¡¯s Cactus League finale on Monday. Other than that, starting pitcher George Kirby (right shoulder inflammation) is the only key piece who is expected to begin the season on the injured list.
Athletics: The A¡¯s were hit with a couple of late spring injuries to Gelof and right-hander Michel Ota?ez. Gelof, who underwent surgery on March 24 for a hook of the hamate fracture of his right hand, is not expected to return until May at the earliest. Ota?ez, who came down with a right shoulder injury, should be able to return around mid-April. Brady Basso, Brett Harris, Ken Waldichuk and Luis Medina are all players on the 40-man roster who will begin the season in the injured list. Waldichuk, who is recovering from Tommy John surgery, is targeting a return sometime this summer and could factor into the rotation mix if a spot opens up.
Who¡¯s hot and who¡¯s not?
Mariners: Rodr¨ªguez swatted his fifth Spring Training homer on Sunday and finished camp with a .918 OPS as he eyes the strong start that¡¯s eluded him for most of his career. Tellez parlayed his production on a Minors deal into a roster spot. Arozarena (.948 OPS and three homers) and Mitch Garver (1.058 OPS and three homers) also had a great camp, while Dylan Moore (.458 OPS) didn¡¯t see his production tick up until the very end.
Athletics: Butler, who was rewarded with a seven-year, $65.5 million contract extension this spring, has been locked in at the plate and appears fully ready to live up to his sky-high expectations for a monster year. He finished the spring hitting .375 (18-for-48) with a 1.026 OPS and has shown vast improvement as a defender in right field. Butler¡¯s fantastic finish to his 2024 campaign -- he slashed .302/.346/.597 (.943 OPS) with 20 home runs, 18 doubles, two triples, 49 RBIs and 14 stolen bases over his final 73 games -- generated plenty of excitement as to what could be in store for 2025.
Wilson, Langeliers, and Bleday all swung the bat well throughout spring. Rooker finished hot by crushing three homers over the final week of Cactus League action.
Anything else fans might want to know?
Mariners: They're 14-4 in season openers since 2007 -- and 29-19 overall. This will be their first Opening Day matchup against the A¡¯s since the 2019 season, when they faced off in Tokyo.
Athletics: The A¡¯s are set to call Sutter Health Park their new temporary home for at least the next three seasons from 2025-27 until a planned relocation to a new ballpark in Las Vegas, which is expected to be ready in time for 2028 Opening Day. They will open on the road for just the second time in the past 16 years and are 3-8 against Seattle in openers, including having lost six straight.