Date: Tuesday, September 17
Time: 7:40 PM EST
Venue: Kauffman Stadium, Kansas City, MO
TV: ROOT SPORTS Northwest, Bally Sports Kansas City
The Seattle Mariners travel to Kansas City for a crucial late-season matchup against the Royals. With playoff implications on the line for Seattle, they face a tough test against a Royals team that has proven formidable at home, coming into this contest as the betting favorites.
Pitching Matchup
Seattle Mariners: Bryce Miller (RHP)The Mariners hand the ball to right-hander Bryce Miller, a key piece of their rotation. After a reported injury concern mid-season, Miller’s performance down the stretch is critical to Seattle’s postseason aspirations. His ability to command the strike zone and limit hard contact will be tested against a scrappy Royals lineup.
Kansas City Royals: Cole Ragans (LHP)The Royals counter with their ace, left-hander Cole Ragans. Ragans has been a dominant force for Kansas City, and the moneyline reflects the confidence oddsmakers have in him, especially on his home mound. His high-velocity fastball and sweeping breaking pitches present a significant challenge for any lineup, and he stands as the primary reason the Royals are favored in this game.
Odds & Analysis
- Moneyline: Mariners +104 | Royals -126
The odds favor the hometown Royals, largely due to the presence of Cole Ragans on the mound. Kansas City has been a tough out at Kauffman Stadium, and bookmakers are leaning on their ace to shut down a Mariners team fighting for playoff position.
The Mariners come in as slight underdogs. For Seattle to pull off the road upset, they will need Bryce Miller to match Ragans pitch-for-pitch and hope their lineup can manufacture runs. Based on earlier season injury timelines, the Mariners offense may have received a late-season boost with the potential return of players like Luke Raley and Victor Robles, which could provide the depth needed to challenge Ragans.
The Royals, while not in the thick of the pennant race, are embracing the spoiler role. The health of their bullpen is a minor question mark after a few relievers dealt with nagging issues earlier in the month, but with Ragans starting, they hope to limit the need for high-leverage relief innings.
Prediction
This game projects to be a classic pitcher’s duel. Bryce Miller is more than capable of keeping the Mariners in the game, but facing Cole Ragans in Kansas City is a tall order. The betting line favoring the Royals is justified, as Ragans has consistently given his team a chance to win every time he takes the mound. Seattle will fight hard, but the Royals’ ace will likely be the difference-maker.
Final Score Prediction: Royals 4, Mariners 2
The Pick: Royals Moneyline (-126)
Sources:
Mariners injuries and roster moves
Seattle Mariners Injury Report and Status 2025 – CBSSports.com
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