Mariners Host A's Monday Night: Seattle's Pitching Advantage Could Be the Difference

The Oakland Athletics (11-11) roll into T-Mobile Park on Monday night to open a three-game set against the Seattle Mariners (10-13), with first pitch set for 9:40 p.m. ET. This matchup features two teams heading in opposite directions right now, and the pitching matchup could tell the whole story.

Oakland's Offense Rolling, But Seattle Just Got Hot

The A's came into this week looking solid at 11-11, dropping two of three against the White Sox over the weekend, including a 7-4 loss Sunday. But here's the thing: Oakland's bats are cooking. Third baseman Darell Hernaiz went 1 for 2 with 2 walks and 2 runs scored while launching his first homer of the season in that loss. The Over has cashed in the past 5 straight games for the Athletics, which tells you the offense is generating chances.

Seattle, meanwhile, has been a mess early but just captured something they desperately needed. The Mariners took 2 of 3 from Texas, finishing off the series with a 5-2 victory Sunday behind a strong outing from RHP Bryan Woo (7 IP, 2 ER, 4 H, 1 BB, 6 K). That win snapped a rough 4-game losing streak and gives the M's a little momentum heading into Monday.

Hancock vs. Ginn: Why Emerson Has the Edge

RHP Emerson Hancock (2-1, 2.28 ERA) takes the ball for Seattle in his fifth start of the season. He's been genuinely solid at home this year (2-0, 2.45 ERA in 11 IP with only 3 ER and zero homers allowed). His strikeout-to-walk ratio is nasty at 9.5 K/9 against just 1.5 BB/9. Last time out, he allowed 2 ER over 6 innings against San Diego in a loss, but that's been the exception, not the rule.

Oakland counters with RHP J.T. Ginn (0-0, 3.31 ERA), who's making his third start of 2026. Here's the concern: Ginn isn't stretched out yet. He's thrown 16 1/3 innings so far with a 3.9 BB/9 rate that could be problematic. On the road this year, he's been lights out (0-0, 0.00 ERA in 7 2/3 IP), but the home cooking advantage Hancock has at T-Mobile Park gives Seattle's pitching the edge.

The Bet Worth Making

The Mariners sit at -150 on the moneyline and deserve respect as modest home favorites, even though Oakland has been the better team overall this early season. Seattle's offense has picked up steam in the past two games, and the M's were money at home last year. Back the Mariners straight up Monday night.

If you want to get cute with it, the Under 8 (-102) is worth a light play, but keep it small. Seattle's been struggling offensively and the Under has cashed 3 of the past 4 for the M's, but Hancock's ability to generate run support at home (6+ runs in 3 of his 4 starts) keeps this interesting.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.