Bryce Miller (3-1, 1.58 ERA) draws Bubba Chandler (2-7, 4.62 ERA) at 12:35 PM ET at PNC Park for the series finale. Miller has been one of the better arms in the American League since returning from an oblique injury in mid-May — his fastball is back to 96.7 mph and the results have been elite. The wrinkle: Seattle's been running him through a piggyback system all season, pulling him around 65-70 pitches. Not today. The Mariners plan to let him go as deep as he can, and that is very good news for anyone backing Seattle in this one.
Chandler's 4.62 ERA and 2-7 record look grim on the surface, but he's been on a legitimate run — a 3.18 ERA over his last 3 starts suggests the young arm is figuring something out. That said, his last outing against Colorado produced just 1 strikeout in 74 pitches. When Chandler loses command, he loses quickly. Seattle's lineup has been ice cold — no more than 3 runs scored in 10 consecutive games — but Chandler hasn't proven he can consistently suppress an AL offense with his stuff.
Game 1 was all Cole Young. The Pittsburgh native hit a go-ahead 2-run homer in the 7th inning at PNC Park — his home ballpark growing up — to give the Mariners a 3-2 win Tuesday. Game 2 was a different story. Braxton Ashcraft struck out 10 Mariners without issuing a walk over 6 innings — the first Pirates pitcher with multiple such starts in the same season since at least 1901 — while Endy Rodriguez drove in 3 and Ryan O'Hearn went 3-for-4. Seattle managed 1 run on its way to an 11-1 loss. Both teams showed they can dominate when locked in. This is a one-game series now.
- Day-To-DayDane Dunning RP — The Mariners signed Dunning to a minor-league contract Thursday, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.
- 10-Day-ILBrendan Donovan 3B — Donovan (groin) began a running progression Tuesday, Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports.
- 15-Day-ILCooper Criswell RP — Criswell was diagnosed with a Grade 1-plus pectoral strain Tuesday, Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports.
- 15-Day-ILMatt Brash RP — General manager Justin Hollander said Tuesday that Brash was diagnosed with a Grade 1 strain in his right lat, Shannon Drayer of SeattleSports.com reports.
- 60-Day-ILCarlos Vargas RP — Mariners general manager Justin Hollander said Tuesday that Vargas (lat) recently began a throwing program and could be ready to return from the 60-day injured list around the Aug. 3 trade deadline, Zac Hereth of 710 AM Seattle Sports reports.
- 60-Day-ILWill Wilson 3B — Wilson (thumb) has gone 3-for-9 with two RBI and a 1:2 BB:K in his first three rehab games between High-A Everett and Triple-A Tacoma.
- 60-Day-ILLogan Evans SP — The Mariners placed Evans (elbow) on the 60-day injured list Monday.
- Day-To-DaySpencer Horwitz 1B — Horwitz was removed from Wednesday's game against the Mariners with left hamstring discomfort.
- Day-To-DayJared Jones SP — Jones had additional imaging on his right elbow come back clean and played catch Tuesday, though manager Don Kelly indicated it's too early to know if the right-hander will be ready for his next turn through the rotation, Colin Beazley of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
- Day-To-DayAnthony Solometo SP — Solometo underwent left shoulder labrum surgery and is expected to be sidelined until at least April 2027, Mark Chiarelli of Baseball America reports.
- Day-To-DayMitch Jebb LF
- Day-To-DayOddanier Mosqueda RP — Mosqueda will not throw for a couple weeks due to left forearm inflammation, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.
- Day-To-DayMike Clevinger RP — Clevinger is expected to be sidelined for around six weeks after being diagnosed with an MCL sprain in his right knee, Jason Mackey of MLB.com reports.
- Day-To-DaySean Sullivan SP — Pirates director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk said Wednesday that Sullivan is battling right elbow soreness, Andrew Destin of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
- 10-Day-ILKonnor Griffin SS — Manager Don Kelly announced that Griffin (forearm) will begin a rehab assignment with Double-A Altoona on Tuesday, Colin Beazley of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
Pittsburgh's lineup has real gaps heading into the finale. Oneil Cruz is out 4-6 weeks with a hand injury, removing one of their most dangerous bats from center field. Spencer Horwitz left Wednesday's game with hamstring discomfort and is day-to-day. On Seattle's side, bullpen depth is stretched thin with Logan Evans, Matt Brash, and Cooper Criswell all on the IL — but that becomes secondary if Miller eats 7 innings. The Mariners sit atop the AL West and need to hold serve on the road. The pitching matchup strongly favors Seattle, and Miller finally gets a chance to prove it past the 5th inning.