George Kirby Is 0-3 in His Last Four Starts, And This 11-3 Mariners Run Is Still on Edge

What a ride, Emerald City! Our Seattle Mariners are absolutely rolling right now, ripping off an insane 11-3 record in their last 14 games. We just snatched another clutch win against the Orioles, a 6-5 thriller in 10 innings on Tuesday night, even after giving up a lead in the ninth. Everything's not sunshine and rainbows though, because tonight's game against Baltimore has serious question marks, especially with our ace George Kirby still trying to find his groove.

The Grit is Real, But So Are the Gaps

Listen, you can’t argue with results, and these M’s are delivering. They’ve battled through rough patches this week, grabbing both wins against the Orioles despite shortstop Colt Emerson being sidelined with a back ailment. Manager Dan Wilson said Tuesday, "He seems to be better today than he was yesterday. So that's a really positive thing, and we'll just keep monitoring as we go." The team is winning without him. Nick Davila, fresh up from Triple-A Tacoma, snagged his first career save Tuesday night. He had to step up because bullpen regular Cooper Criswell hit the 15-day injured list with a shoulder strain, which just adds to our bullpen's adventure. They’ve had some “adventurous work,” but hey, two wins are two wins, especially on the road.

Kirby's Big Test in Baltimore

Alright, let’s talk about tonight. George Kirby, our guy, is heading to the mound for the Mariners, and he needs a W. He’s 5-5 with a 4.04 ERA on the season, but he hasn't gotten a win in nearly a month, going 0-3 in his last four starts. That includes a season-low four innings last Wednesday against the Mets where he gave up five runs, four earned, and nine hits in a 7-1 loss. Here's the kicker: matchups against the Orioles have not been Kirby’s friend. He’s 2-5 with a 3.26 ERA in eight career starts against Baltimore, his most losses against any single opponent. Meanwhile, the Orioles are bringing Brandon Young, a right-hander with a 4-1 record and a 3.47 ERA, who our guys have never seen. Baltimore has won six straight with Young starting, and he’s looked good recently, giving up just three walks and striking out 15 over 19 2/3 innings in his last three outings.

So, yeah, the M's are hot, but tonight is a true test. Can Kirby shake off this month-long slump against an opponent that’s given him fits? Can our "adventurous" bullpen hold it down? The Orioles are reeling with a four-game losing streak and their catcher Adley Rutschman is out with hamstring tightness. Their manager Craig Albernaz still says they need to "get better to win those margins." This team has grit, we’ve seen it, and we need our guys to keep pushing through. Let’s see if our Mariners can keep this incredible run going tonight in Baltimore!

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