Rays Aim to Tighten Wild Card Race vs Mariners

Tampa Bay Rays vs Seattle Mariners September 2nd 2025

The Seattle Mariners will take on the Tampa Bay Rays in an outdoor game at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, FL. The Mariners have a record of 73-65 and are ranked second in the AL West. They are coming off a loss and have a 5-5 record over their last ten games. The Rays, with a record of 68-69, are fourth in the AL East and are on a four-game winning streak with a 7-3 record in their last ten games.

Seattle will have Bryan Woo on the mound, boasting an ERA of 2.95 and a WHIP of 0.95. Tampa Bay will counter with Drew Rasmussen, who has an ERA of 2.64 and a WHIP of 0.98. The game is scheduled for Tuesday, September 2, 2025, at 7:35 PM, and will be broadcast on FDSSU. The weather forecast predicts a very hot day with a light breeze and light rain.

Mariners vs Rays Key Information

Sport: Baseball
Teams: Seattle Mariners vs. Tampa Bay Rays
Venue: George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, FL
Date: Tuesday, September 2, 2025
Betting Odds: Mariners Moneyline -112, Rays Moneyline -105, Mariners Runline -1.5 (+147), Rays Runline +1.5 (-177), Total Over 8.0 (-105), Total Under 8.0 (-115)

The Mariners Can Win If…

The Seattle Mariners are coming off a tough 10-2 loss against the Tampa Bay Rays. Despite the score, the Mariners managed to get 10 hits, with Eugenio Suárez hitting two doubles and Leo Rivas knocking a home run. Luis Castillo had a challenging outing, but the team looks to bounce back with a strong performance in the next game.

Seattle’s lineup has shown power throughout the season, ranking 3rd in home runs with 196. Cal Raleigh leads the team with 50 home runs, and Eugenio Suárez follows with 42. Their ability to hit the long ball gives them a chance to put runs on the board quickly.

Bryan Woo takes the mound for the Mariners with an impressive 2.95 ERA and a 12-7 record. His ability to keep hitters off balance will be crucial against the Rays. With a WHIP of 0.95, Woo has been effective in limiting base runners, which can help the Mariners secure a win.

The Rays Can Win If…

The Tampa Bay Rays are coming off a strong win against the Seattle Mariners, 10-2. Shane Baz pitched six scoreless innings, allowing five hits and striking out six. Nick Fortes led the offense with a home run and three RBIs, while Yandy Díaz and Jake Mangum each contributed with multiple hits.

The Rays’ offense shows strength with a team batting average of .251, ranked 7th in the league. They also lead the league in stolen bases with 173, which can create scoring opportunities. Junior Caminero is a key player to watch, with 39 home runs and 96 RBIs this season.

On the mound, Drew Rasmussen will start with a solid ERA of 2.64 and a WHIP of 0.98. The Rays’ pitching staff ranks 9th in ERA and 7th in strikeouts, making them tough to score against. With a balanced attack of strong pitching and timely hitting, the Rays have a good chance to win their next game.

The Lean

The Mariners are favored with a moneyline of -112 against the Rays at -105. My model projects the Mariners to win with a score of 5-4. The Mariners have a higher slugging percentage and rank third in home runs, which gives them an edge in scoring.

The total for the game is set at 8.0, with the over at -105 and the under at -115. My model predicts a total of 9 runs, suggesting a pick on the over. Both teams have strong hitting stats, with the Mariners ranking high in home runs and the Rays having a solid batting average.

Rays Keep Pressure on Seattle

The Tampa Bay Rays opened their seven-game homestand in style with a 10-2 win over the Seattle Mariners on Monday. Behind Shane Baz’s strong outing and a 13-hit attack, Tampa Bay pulled within 4.5 games of Seattle in the AL Wild Card standings.

Two other teams sit between the Rays (68-69) and the Mariners (73-65), but this head-to-head series offers a chance to close the gap quickly.

Manager Kevin Cash knows the challenge Seattle presents: “They’ve got guys that can knock the ball out of the park with one swing and change the game.”

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Pitching Matchup: Rasmussen vs Woo

Tuesday’s contest features one of the best pitching duels of the season. Tampa Bay’s Drew Rasmussen (10-5, 2.64 ERA) has been dominant, while Seattle’s Bryan Woo (12-7, 2.95 ERA) has emerged as a frontline starter.

Rasmussen posted a 1.53 ERA in August, striking out 26 with just three walks. He also owns a remarkable track record against Seattle: 2-0 with a 0.44 ERA in five career appearances.

Woo, meanwhile, has been steady all year. After a 4-1 August with a 2.27 ERA, he looks to build on his earlier success against the Rays, where he threw six innings of three-run ball on August 10.

Probable Pitchers

Pitcher	Team	Record	ERA	Notes
Drew Rasmussen	Rays	10-5	2.64	1.53 ERA in August, 0.44 ERA vs Mariners
Bryan Woo	Mariners	12-7	2.95	4-1 in August, beat Rays on Aug. 10

Rays’ Perspective: Rasmussen Leading the Way

Tampa Bay has been leaning heavily on Rasmussen’s consistency. The right-hander rarely allows more than a few runs and often works into the sixth inning, giving the bullpen much-needed rest.

The Rays also turned the page on Ha-Seong Kim, who was claimed off waivers by Atlanta. That move clears room for rookie Carson Williams to gain more experience down the stretch.

As Rays president Erik Neander explained, “Where we are in the standings right now, giving Carson the opportunity to learn a little bit more was important to us.”

Mariners’ Perspective: Woo Staying Locked In

Seattle continues to rely on Woo, who had gone at least six innings in each of his first 25 starts before falling just short in his last outing. He struck out 39 in August while allowing just six walks, showing elite command.

Manager Dan Wilson praised his approach: “Bryan has had an incredible season, but we’ve got a few games left. It’s time to be about the team, and he understands that completely.”

Curious about other AL contenders? Track the Toronto Blue Jays as they battle for position in the Wild Card race.

Team Snapshot

Category	Rays	Mariners
Record	68-69	73-65
Division Standing	4th in AL East	3rd in AL West
Wild Card Status	4.5 GB of Mariners	Last AL Wild Card
Last 10 Games	5-5	6-4

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Final Thoughts

The Rays delivered a statement win on Monday, but Tuesday’s duel between Rasmussen and Woo could decide the momentum of the series. For Tampa Bay, closing the Wild Card gap is urgent. For Seattle, holding off challengers like the Rays is critical.

Expect a low-scoring, hard-fought game where one big swing could make the difference.

FAQs

Who is starting for the Rays?

Drew Rasmussen, who is 10-5 with a 2.64 ERA and a 0.44 ERA in his career vs Seattle.

Who is starting for the Mariners?

Bryan Woo, who is 12-7 with a 2.95 ERA and coming off a 4-1 August.

Why did the Rays move on from Ha-Seong Kim?

He was waived to create playing time for rookie Carson Williams.

How far back are the Rays in the Wild Card race?

They are 4.5 games behind Seattle for the final AL spot.

Which rookie is Tampa Bay showcasing?

Carson Williams, who has one homer and six RBIs in his first eight MLB games.

Where can I find more team previews?

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Tampa Bay Rays vs Seattle Mariners Picks and Predictions September 2nd 2025