Mariners Game #4 Preview and Discussion: CLE at SEA, 3/29/26
The Mariners try to salvage a series split with Cleveland before the Yankees come to town
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - MARCH 26: Josh Naylor #12 of the Seattle Mariners and Bo Naylor #23 of the Cleveland Guardians stand on first base during the sixth inning at T-Mobile Park on March 26, 2026 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images) | Getty Images After a heartbreakingly close loss last night, the Mariners will look to avoid losing their first series of the season today against Cleveland. Emerson Hancock will make his season debut for Seattle.
Thanks to Zach Mason, who accidentally wrote this preview for Hancock when he’s actually recapping Castillo’s start against the Yankees tomorrow. All mine now, baybeeee. Seattle will hand the ball to Emerson Hancock for his first start of the season.
This ought to be Bryce Miller’s spot, but he’s still getting stretched out after missing some time in Spring Training with oblique tightness. Hancock lost his spot as the sixth starter last season to Logan Evans and was eventually relegated to the bullpen. But with Evans out for the year with Tommy John surgery, Hancock returns to the rotation.
Three things to watch from Hancock tonight: He was able to gain some velocity on his fastball when he moved to the bullpen, and he kept most of the gain in three-inning outings this spring. Can he hold the added velo over a full start? He workshopped his sweeper over the winter and turned it into a pitch that was highly effective in Cactus League play.