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Mariners vs Braves Picks and Predictions September 5th 2025
After a rough road sweep, the Seattle Mariners are desperate to turn things around as they head into a weekend showdown against the Atlanta Braves. Friday’s game opens a three-game set that could determine whether Seattle stays in the playoff race—or falls further behind.
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Mariners Limping Into Atlanta
The Mariners have now lost five of their last six and three straight, thanks to a disappointing sweep at the hands of the Tampa Bay Rays. Even a mid-week visit from legendary manager Lou Piniella couldn’t shake them out of their slump.
Manager Dan Wilson remains optimistic despite the skid.
“We all know it’s going to turn and it’s going to turn quick. We’ve just got to keep grinding away at it.”
Seattle enters the weekend four games behind Houston in the AL West and clinging to the final AL Wild Card spot with just a 1.5-game cushion over the Rangers.
Can Seattle Stay Afloat in the Wild Card Race?
Despite their struggles, the Mariners still control their fate. But things need to change fast, especially with teams like the Yankees and Red Sox gaining ground.
AL Wild Card Standings Snapshot
| Team | Record | Games Behind 1st WC | Streak |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York Yankees | 78-63 | — | W2 |
| Boston Red Sox | 78-63 | — | W1 |
| Seattle Mariners | 73-67 | 4.5 | L3 |
| Texas Rangers | 72-69 | 6.0 | W1 |
Seattle can’t afford to slip further if they want to avoid missing the playoffs for the third straight season.
Braves Trending Up With New-Look Lineup
The Braves avoided a sweep with a 5-1 win over the Cubs on Wednesday, powered by new shortstop Ha-Seong Kim, who crushed a three-run homer in just his second game with the team.
Kim was claimed off waivers earlier this week and will be Atlanta’s everyday shortstop for the rest of the season.
“He’s ready to go,” said manager Brian Snitker. “We told him, ‘If you need a day, we’ll give you a day.’ Otherwise, he’s in.”
Pitcher Bryce Elder also impressed, giving up just one unearned run over seven innings.
Friday’s Pitching Matchup: Sale vs Gilbert
It’s a battle of aces on Friday with Chris Sale facing Logan Gilbert in what could be one of the better pitching duels of the weekend.
| Pitcher | Team | W-L | ERA | Last Start |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chris Sale | Atlanta Braves | 5-4 | 2.45 | 6 IP, 1 ER vs Phillies |
| Logan Gilbert | Seattle Mariners | 4-6 | 3.73 | 6 IP, 3 ER vs Guardians |
Sale looked dominant in his return from a rib cage injury, while Gilbert tossed a solid quality start in a losing effort. Sale’s career numbers vs Seattle: 7-2, 2.60 ERA in 13 games.
Mariners’ Offense Needs a Spark
Seattle’s struggles at the plate were exposed during their series in Tampa Bay. The team is hitting a collective .222 over the last 10 games and scored just 4.3 runs per game in that span.
Player Spotlight: Cal Raleigh
One bright spot? Catcher Cal Raleigh, who leads the majors with 51 home runs and is third in RBIs with 109.
| Player | HR | RBIs | OPS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cal Raleigh | 51 | 109 | .904 |
Raleigh is the heart of the Mariners’ offense, and he’ll need to stay hot for Seattle to have any chance this weekend.
Game Prediction and Best Bet
The Mariners are reeling and running into a rejuvenated Braves squad with Chris Sale on the hill. Unless Gilbert tosses a gem and the offense comes alive, Seattle could be staring down a fourth straight loss.
Pick: Braves -1.5
Prediction: Braves 6, Mariners 2
Want more betting angles and trends? Check the full MLB betting guide.
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FAQs
Who is starting for the Mariners vs Braves?
Logan Gilbert will start for Seattle, facing Atlanta’s Chris Sale in a top-tier pitching matchup.
How has Chris Sale performed vs the Mariners?
He’s 7-2 with a 2.60 ERA in 13 career appearances against Seattle.
What’s Ha-Seong Kim’s role with the Braves?
Kim was just acquired off waivers and will be the Braves’ starting shortstop moving forward.
How far are the Mariners out of the AL West lead?
They trail Houston by four games entering the series.
What is Cal Raleigh’s current stat line?
Raleigh leads MLB with 51 homers and ranks third with 109 RBIs.
Where can I find picks for other MLB games?
Check the latest MLB picks and predictions for expert analysis.
