The Mariners and Dodgers clinched their respective divisions, but overall seeds are yet to be determined. These games still matter, and it’ll be two powerhouses going head-to-head.
Seattle is a -156 favorite, while Los Angeles is +127 on DraftKings Sportsbook. The game total is set at over/under seven runs.
Here’s my prediction and pick for Friday’s Mariners vs. Dodgers matchup.
Mariners vs. Dodgers prediction
There’s not a hotter team in baseball than the Mariners right now. They’re on a seven game win streak and won 17 of their last 18 matchups. It’s only fitting that they take on the Dodgers to end the regular season, since Los Angeles is one of the best teams in the majors.
Emmet Sheehan is starting for the Dodgers tonight. He’s been excellent in limited fashion this year. The 25-year-old has a 2.86 ERA through 72.1 innings after not pitching in 2024 due to Tommy John surgery.
The Dodgers’ rotation is busy with Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Blake Snell, Tyler Glasnow, Shohei Ohtani and Clayton Kershaw. Had Roki Sasaki been healthy, Sheehan would have even more trouble getting starts. Nonetheless, he’s gotten his chances and proven he belongs on the postseason roster.
This will arguably be his biggest test against a red hot Mariners team. Seattle is seemingly unstoppable and is playing at home.
George Kirby is on the mound for the Mariners. He’s had an underwhelming season for his standards. After posting a sub-3.53 ERA in each of his first three seasons, Kirby ballooned to a 4.24 ERA. He dealt with injuries that limited him to 121 innings, his lowest total of his career. Even if he pitches a complete nine innings tonight, he’ll be tied with his rookie season total of 130 innings.
He pitched into the seventh inning in each of his past two starts. He struck out 14 while allowing two earned runs against the Angels and struck out seven while allowing zero earned against the Astros.
The Dodgers are a more difficult team than both the Angels and Astros. This will be Kirby’s last test before the Mariners play postseason ball.
Mariners vs. Dodgers pick, best bet
While two good pitchers are on the mound, the two offenses are even better. It’s a low total at seven runs, so I expect the over to hit.