Seattle Mariners probable pitchers & starting lineups vs. Detroit Tigers, March 31

On Monday, the Seattle Mariners start a three-game set against the Detroit Tigers.

The Tigers, the latest victim of the Los Angeles Dodgers, will enter the series 0-3 and still looking for their first win of the season. Meanwhile, the Mariners, coming off a four-game series split against the A's, aim to push back over .500 in the early stages of the campaign.

With Emerson Hancock making his season debut for Seattle, this game is set to offer an intriguing pitching duel. With a 6:40 p.m start time at T-Mobile park, let’s take a look at the probable pitchers and starting lineups.

Starting Pitchers

For the Mariners: Emerson Hancock, RHP (0-0)

Stepping into the rotation as the Mariners’ fifth starter while George Kirby remains sidelined with right shoulder inflammation, Hancock is no stranger to filling in when needed. He also served in this role for parts of the last two seasons, making 12 starts in 2024 while posting a 4-4 record with a 4.75 ERA and 39 strikeouts across 60.2 innings.

While Hancock’s control is solid, he has struggled to generate strikeouts at a high rate. In response, he added a sweeper into his pitch mix to generate more swing and miss. Facing a Tigers team that caused Seattle major headaches last season, Hancock will need to be sharp from the get-go.

For the Tigers: Jackson Jobe, RHP (0-0)

The Mariners will get an early look at one of the top pitching prospects in baseball, as Jackson Jobe takes the mound for his first career start. Though not a complete MLB rookie — he made two relief appearances late last season — this will be the first real test for the 22-year-old right-hander.

Jobe relies heavily on a fastball that sits at an average of 97 mph, and he complements it occasionally with a cutter, changeup, and rarely used sweeper. With high expectations and a bright future ahead, Jobe will look to capitalize on what some consider a favorable matchup against a Mariners lineup that struggles with consistency at the plate.

Mariners Starting Lineup vs. Jobe

1. RF Victor Robles (R)
2. CF Julio Rodríguez (R)
3. C Cal Raleigh (S)
4. LF Randy Arozarena (R)
5. 3B Jorge Polanco (S)
6. 1B Luke Raley (L)
7. DH Rowdy Tellez (L)
8. 2B Ryan Bliss (R)
9. SS J.P. Crawford (L)

Tigers Starting Lineup vs. Emerson

1. DH Justyn Henry-Malloy (R)
2. LF Kerry Carpenter (L)
3. CF Riley Greene (L)
4. 1B Spencer Torkelson (R)
5. 2B Colt Keith (L)
6. RF Zach McKinstry (R)
7. C Dillon Dingler (R)
8. SS Trey Sweeney (L)
9. 3B Javier Báez (R)

How can I watch the Mariners today?

Regional Coverage

• Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Alaska: The game will be televised on ROOT Sports Northwest.​
• Michigan, northeastern Indiana, northwest Ohio and northeastern Wisconsin: The game will be televised on FanDuel Sports Network Detroit

Satellite Coverage

• Nationwide: Available via DirectTV

Streaming Options

• ROOT Sports Streaming App: Fans in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, and Alaska can stream the game live through the ROOT Sports streaming service
• FuboTV: Subscribers in the aforementioned regions can also stream the game live via FuboTV, which carries ROOT Sports Northwest.
• MLB.TV: Out-of-market viewers can watch the game live with an MLB.TV (subscription required)

Radio Broadcast

• Seattle Region: Tune in to Seattle Sports 710 AM or stream the audio live at seattlesports.com.​
• Detroit Regions: Various local radio affiliates found here.

What’s at Stake?

For the Tigers, it’s all about getting that elusive first win and continuing last season’s dominance over the Mariners. Detroit won five of six games against Seattle in 2024, a stretch that played a key role in their late-season surge into the playoffs. The Mariners' struggles against the Tigers were part of a disastrous August that ultimately led to the firing of longtime manager Scott Servais.

Seattle will be looking to change the narrative for this year’s matchups. With a young arm on the mound for each side, expect a competitive and compelling series opener at T-Mobile Park.