Mariners Game #46 Preview and Discussion: 5/15/26, SEA vs SD
Hancock vs. Vásquez: Again
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 15: Emerson Hancock #26 of the Seattle Mariners pitches during the first inning of a game against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park on April 15, 2026 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) | Getty Images Let’s run it back.
Leg two of the Vedder Cup begins Friday in Seattle. The Mariners got swept in the first set in San Diego, so they’ll need to sweep at home in order to have a chance in the tie breaker, which is run differential (Padres lead 16-9) then average exit velocity in the series (Mariners lead 88. 8 to 88.
6). Randy Vásquez and Emerson Hancock face-off again in game one. Both pitchers spent years toiling without the ability to miss bats, and both pitchers have suddenly figured it out this year, getting tons of whiffs and strikeouts.
They may be their respective league’s most improved players. I wrote about the changes for Vásquez last month at FanGraphs, and on the same day, Michael Rosen outlined the changes for Hancock . The Mariners put up a four-spot on Vásquez last time out, and Hancock held his own.