Opening Day is supposed to feel like a reset — a clean slate, all the promise of 162 games ahead. For Mariners fans at T-Mobile Park on Thursday night, it mostly felt like a gut punch. Cleveland came in, their rookie Chase DeLauter homered on the second pitch he saw in his first regular-season at-bat, and the Guardians walked away with a 6-4 win to steal Game 1.

That stings. But here’s the thing: it’s one game. The Mariners have three more chances against Cleveland this weekend before the Yankees come knocking. There is plenty of baseball left to play.

What Actually Happened Thursday

Logan Gilbert was sharp for the most part. He struck out seven over 5.1 innings, didn’t walk anyone, and looked like the ace the Mariners need him to be — except for two costly moments. DeLauter’s solo shot in the first inning set the tone for Cleveland, and the Guardians tacked on two more in the fifth to build a lead Seattle couldn’t fully erase.

The offense showed some real flashes, though. Brendan Donovan — the offseason pickup who had a ridiculous spring — launched a solo home run in his first at-bat as a Mariner. That’s exactly the kind of statement moment you want from a new guy. Dominic Canzone went yard twice, both solo shots, showing that the outfield depth on this team is legitimate.

The problem was stringing things together. The Mariners managed four runs but couldn’t threaten in the later innings when it counted. That’s a pattern from last season the coaching staff has spent all winter trying to fix.

The Injury Situation Is Real

Before we get to the optimism, let’s name what’s missing. Bryce Miller (left oblique strain) is out until roughly May 1. J.P. Crawford (right shoulder inflammation) is eligible to come back April 1 but hasn’t played much this spring. Miles Mastrobuoni is also on the 10-day IL with a calf injury.

That means the Opening Day lineup had Leo Rivas starting at shortstop and Cole Young — who genuinely looked great in spring training — getting early reps at second base over veteran Jorge Polanco. It also means Emerson Hancock is starting games in the No. 5 spot while Miller heals.

This isn’t excuses. It’s context. The Mariners are playing with a slightly depleted deck to start the year, and they still nearly came back Thursday night.

This Weekend: Three More Against Cleveland

The good news is you get another shot almost immediately. The Mariners and Guardians play three more times:

  • Friday, March 27 — Tonight at T-Mobile Park
  • Saturday, March 28 — T-Mobile Park
  • Sunday, March 29 — T-Mobile Park

Cleveland is a scrappy team — DeLauter is for real, and the Guardians won the AL Central last year — but this is a very winnable series at home. If the Mariners can take two of three, that’s a fine start to the year.

Tickets for this weekend’s games are still available. Grab them before they’re gone — check SeatGeek for the best deals on remaining Guardians tickets.

Then the Yankees Come to Town

As if this homestand couldn’t get more interesting: New York rolls in March 30 through April 1 for a three-game series. The Yankees are expected to be one of the AL’s contenders this year, and a series against them in the first week of the season is a great measuring stick.

Those games are going to be electric. T-Mobile Park against the Yankees is exactly the kind of early-season showdown that reminds you why you love baseball. If you can get to one game this homestand, the Yankees series might be the one.

→ Grab Yankees series tickets on SeatGeek

What to Watch Going Forward

A few storylines worth tracking as the season kicks off:

Cal Raleigh’s bat. “Big Dumper” had an MVP-caliber season last year and is one of the best catchers in the game. When Raleigh is locked in, the whole lineup feels different. Want to rep him this season? His jersey is worth every penny.

Julio Rodríguez’s ascent. J-Rod is in his prime and building toward superstar status. He’s the face of this franchise and the guy who can single-handedly change a game. Grab his jersey and wear it proudly at the park.

The young guns. Cole Young looked impressive all spring. JJ Wetherholt made the Opening Day roster straight out of prospect status. The Mariners have real talent developing in this system, and 2026 might be the year it starts showing up in the box score consistently.

Emerson Hancock. With Miller out, Hancock has a chance to prove himself as a legitimate starter. He’s been a highly-regarded prospect for years — this is his audition.

One Loss Doesn’t Define a Season

Mariners fans have been burned before. The 2025 finish hurt. But if you’re in “doom and gloom” mode after one opening-day loss, you need to recalibrate. This is a team with real talent, a healthy amount of upside in the rotation, and a core that can compete in the AL West.

Logan Gilbert is an ace. Cal Raleigh is elite. Julio Rodríguez hasn’t even reached his ceiling yet. The offense added legitimate pieces. One DeLauter home run doesn’t erase any of that.

Get to the ballpark this weekend. It’s early, it’s fixable, and baseball in Seattle in March still beats basically everything else.

→ All remaining 2026 Mariners tickets on SeatGeek

Looking to gear up for the home opener? Check out the full Mariners jersey collection — from Julio to Cal Raleigh to the City Connect line, there’s something for every fan in the family.