3 Keys for Logan Gilbert’s Start as Mariners Try to Stop Phillies’ Streak
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The Mariners won their last series, taking two out of three against the Cubs. That’s great. They’re also coming off Sunday’s 19-2 demolition, their second loss by at least 17 runs in less than a week. Now they’re set to take on the Phillies who arrive carrying a nine-game winning streak.
Fortunately, Logan Gilbert has handled this cleanup job many times. Recently, he started and won the day after Seattle’s 22–0 humiliation in Milwaukee. Now the Mariners need him to do it again, this time against a Phillies lineup that rocked him last season. Here are three ways he can do that.
1.Logan Gilbert Must Get Ahead of Phillies Hitters Early
The inning unraveled almost immediately. Gilbert got strike one on just seven of the 15 hitters he faced, and the second inning alone cost him 48 pitches. Philadelphia opened it with five straight hits. Trea Turner later hammered a slider that stayed up, and J.T. Realmuto did the same before Gilbert finally escaped.
He finished with nine hits and six earned over two innings, the shortest start of his career that wasn’t affected by the weather. His career ERA against Philadelphia now sits at 7.50.
We’ll know quickly whether this meeting will be different from the last. Gilbert needs strike one, manageable counts and quick outs. Falling behind forces him back over the plate and gives Philadelphia’s lineup time to settle in.
2. Gilbert’s Splitter May Be the Key Against the Phillies’ Left-Handed Power
Gilbert’s splitter is nasty, and he would probably throw it more if he had more command over it. Still, opponents have produced a microscopic .190 xwOBA (Expected Weighted On-Base Average) against the pitch, which carries a 40.7 percent whiff rate. Yet it represents only 14.3 percent of Gilbert’s arsenal. Meanwhile, his heavily used four-seamer has yielded a .360 xwOBA and a 49.7 percent hard-hit rate.
That math matters against guys like Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper. Gilbert should change their eye levels with elevated velocity, then bury the splitter beneath the zone. Philadelphia’s left-handed hitters should have to prove they can resist it.
3. Mariners Need Logan Gilbert to Limit Home Runs and Protect the Bullpen
Gilbert has given up five home runs over his last four starts, while his barrel rate (10.1 percent) is at a career high. Against Philly, dodgy command or anything leaking over the plate could end his night quickly.
He also has Zack Wheeler starting for the Phillies whose lone start against the M’s was an eight-inning masterpiece where he struck out nine and allowed two hits in a 6-0 win. The starting pitcher for the Mariners in that game? Logan Gilbert.
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Tremayne Person is the Publisher for Mariners On SI and the Site Expert at Friars on Base, with additional bylines across FanSided’s MLB division. He founded the Keep It Electric podcast in 2023 and covers baseball with a blend of analysis, context, and a little well-timed side-eye just to keep things honest. Tremayne grew up a Mariners fan in Richmond, Va., and that passion ultimately led him to move to Seattle to cover the team closely and become a regular at home games. Through his writing, he connects with fans who want a deeper, more personal understanding of the game. When he’s not at T-Mobile Park, he’s with his dog, gaming, or finding the next storyline worth digging into.
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