Mariners' starting rotation has been 'elite' this season

The Seattle Mariners have been hot and cold as of late, with a five-game losing streak, a four-game winning streak, and back to a four-game losing streak. Despite their offseason spending to bring in a big bat like first baseman Josh Naylor (five years, $92.5 million), the Mariners offense has not been great. 

The Mariners have the third-worst team batting average in Major League Baseball (.214) and are in the bottom six in OPS (25th, .656). Even though the offense is not quite where it needs to be, the Mariners' starting rotation has proven to be elite. 

The Seattle Mariners' starting rotation has returned to being elite

The Mariners' starting staff has shown it's one of the best in Major League Baseball, with the seventh-best starters' ERA (3.27) and tossing the most innings (129.1). The Mariners also have five quality arms to throw at opposing teams, led by their ace, right-hander Logan Gilbert (4.03 ERA). 

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• Right-hander Bryan Woo: 2.16 ERA
• Right-hander George Kirby: 2.97 ERA
• Right-hander Luis Castillo: 5.40 ERA
• Right-hander Emerson Hancock: 2.28

Right-hander Bryce Miller is another quality arm in the rotation, but is currently on the injured list with an oblique strain. According to MLB.com’s Daniel Kramer, the Mariners depth played a significant role last season due to injuries, but they may have a “logjam” this season with everyone mostly healthy. 

That's not to say this wasn't true in 2025, but that group saw significant injuries to Logan Gilbert, George Kirby, Bryce Miller and Bryan Woo. And in '26, they may actually have a logjam. When Miller (oblique strain) returns from the IL -- penciled in for one month from now -- Seattle could have a pressing decision to face on the group, especially given the emergence of Emerson Hancock, who at this rate, isn’t going anywhere. Overall, the Mariners' rotation entered the weekend leading the sport with 3.1 WAR, per FanGraphs,” said Kramer. 

If the Mariners are to make it to the American League Championship Series again and ultimately the World Series, the offense needs to figure things out. 

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