Game 1 was all Cole Young. The Pittsburgh native hit a go-ahead 2-run homer in the 7th inning at PNC Park — his home ballpark growing up — to give the Mariners a 3-2 win Tuesday. Game 2 was a different story. Braxton Ashcraft struck out 10 Mariners without issuing a walk over 6 innings — the first Pirates pitcher with multiple such starts in the same season since at least 1901 — while Endy Rodriguez drove in 3 and Ryan O'Hearn went 3-for-4. Seattle managed 1 run on its way to an 11-1 loss. Both teams showed they can dominate when locked in. This is a one-game series now.
- Day-To-DayDane Dunning (RP) — The Mariners signed Dunning to a minor-league contract Thursday, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.06/13
- 10-Day-ILBrendan Donovan (3B) — Donovan (groin) began a running progression Tuesday, Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports.06/17
- 15-Day-ILCooper Criswell (RP) — Criswell was diagnosed with a Grade 1-plus pectoral strain Tuesday, Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports.06/17
- 15-Day-ILMatt Brash (RP) — General manager Justin Hollander said Tuesday that Brash was diagnosed with a Grade 1 strain in his right lat, Shannon Drayer of SeattleSports.com reports.06/16
- 60-Day-ILCarlos Vargas (RP) — Mariners general manager Justin Hollander said Tuesday that Vargas (lat) recently began a throwing program and could be ready to return from the 60-day injured list around the Aug. 3 trade deadline, Zac Hereth of 710 AM Seattle Sports reports.06/17
- 60-Day-ILWill Wilson (3B) — Wilson (thumb) has gone 3-for-9 with two RBI and a 1:2 BB:K in his first three rehab games between High-A Everett and Triple-A Tacoma.06/17
- 60-Day-ILLogan Evans (SP) — The Mariners placed Evans (elbow) on the 60-day injured list Monday.05/08
- Day-To-DaySpencer Horwitz (1B) — Horwitz was removed from Wednesday's game against the Mariners with left hamstring discomfort.06/25
- Day-To-DayJared Jones (SP) — Jones had additional imaging on his right elbow come back clean and played catch Tuesday, though manager Don Kelly indicated it's too early to know if the right-hander will be ready for his next turn through the rotation, Colin Beazley of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.06/23
- Day-To-DayAnthony Solometo (SP) — Solometo underwent left shoulder labrum surgery and is expected to be sidelined until at least April 2027, Mark Chiarelli of Baseball America reports.06/09
- Day-To-DayMitch Jebb (LF)
- Day-To-DayOddanier Mosqueda (RP) — Mosqueda will not throw for a couple weeks due to left forearm inflammation, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.05/08
- Day-To-DayMike Clevinger (RP) — Clevinger is expected to be sidelined for around six weeks after being diagnosed with an MCL sprain in his right knee, Jason Mackey of MLB.com reports.05/08
- Day-To-DaySean Sullivan (SP) — Pirates director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk said Wednesday that Sullivan is battling right elbow soreness, Andrew Destin of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.05/08
- 10-Day-ILKonnor Griffin (SS) — Manager Don Kelly announced that Griffin (forearm) will begin a rehab assignment with Double-A Altoona on Tuesday, Colin Beazley of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.06/23
- 10-Day-ILOneil Cruz (CF) — Pirates general manager Ben Cherington said Sunday that Cruz (hand) is facing an estimated recovery timeline of 4-6 weeks, Danny Demilio of PittsburghBaseballNow.com reports.06/14
- 15-Day-ILWilber Dotel (RP) — Dotel (lat) tossed a bullpen session Saturday, MLB.com reports.06/22
- 60-Day-ILChris Devenski (RP) — Devenski (illness) was transferred from the 15-day IL to the 60-day IL on Sunday.06/07
Pittsburgh's lineup has real gaps heading into the finale. Oneil Cruz is out 4-6 weeks with a hand injury, removing one of their most dangerous bats from center field. Spencer Horwitz left Wednesday's game with hamstring discomfort and is day-to-day. On Seattle's side, bullpen depth is stretched thin with Logan Evans, Matt Brash, and Cooper Criswell all on the IL — but that becomes secondary if Miller eats 7 innings. The Mariners sit atop the AL West and need to hold serve on the road. The pitching matchup strongly favors Seattle, and Miller finally gets a chance to prove it past the 5th inning.