Mariners, Padres Set for Rubber Match in San Diego

SAN DIEGO (Interstat) — The Seattle Mariners look to salvage a series split against the San Diego Padres on Thursday at PETCO Park after dropping the first two games of the set.

The Mariners (8-10) have lost four of their last five, including a 4-1 defeat on Tuesday and a postponed game Wednesday. The Padres (11-6) have won seven of their last 10 and are in first place in the National League West.

Seattle will send right-hander Luis Castillo (0-0) to the mound for his first start of the 2026 season. San Diego counters with right-hander Walker Buehler (0-1), who is seeking his first win after taking a loss in his Padres debut.

A player to watch for Seattle is right-hander Bryan Woo, who pitched well in a losing effort Tuesday, allowing three runs over seven innings. Over his last four starts, Woo has a 2.25 ERA with 20 strikeouts in 25 innings, including a one-hit, scoreless outing against the Los Angeles Angels on April 3.

For the Padres, right-hander Michael King has been a key contributor. He earned the win Tuesday against Seattle, allowing one run over six innings. In his last start, King held the Pirates to two runs over six frames in an 8-2 victory on April 8.

The teams have split low-scoring affairs so far this series, with the Padres’ 4-1 win on Tuesday following a postponement. In that game, San Diego shortstop Xander Bogaerts went 3 for 4 with three RBIs.

According to Interstat’s game simulator, the projected final score is Padres 7, Mariners 3. Seattle has been installed as a pregame favorite with a spread of -1.5. The over/under is set at 8 runs.

First pitch is scheduled for 6:40 p.m. PDT under cloudy skies with a game-time temperature of 66 degrees.

Following the series, the Mariners return home to face the Texas Rangers for a three-game set starting Friday. The Padres head to Anaheim to begin a three-game series against the Los Angeles Angels.