Seattle Mariners probable pitchers & starting lineups vs. Toronto Blue Jays, April 18

Despite a battered roster and a patchwork infield, the Seattle Mariners have clawed their way to a 10-9 start to the 2025 season. They’ve leaned into grit, versatility, and a little late-game magic — proving that they won’t go quietly no matter who’s missing from the lineup.

That fight was on full display Thursday afternoon in Cincinnati. Trailing 7-5 in a rubber match against the Reds, the Mariners unleashed back-to-back jacks from Cal Raleigh and Randy Arozarena to erase the deficit and force extras. By the time the dust settled, Seattle had stormed away with a 11-7 victory — stealing the series while sending a message that they can take a punch and throw one right back.

Now sitting just above .500, the Mariners head north of the border to begin a three-game series in Toronto. Their infield may still be a revolving door, but their confidence is growing — and if recent trends hold, there could be plenty of offense on tap.

Tonight’s matchup will be available exclusively on Apple TV+, so a subscription is required to watch the game. You can find the streaming link here. With the first pitch scheduled for 4:07 p.m. local time at Rogers Centre, let’s take a look at tonight’s probables and how the lineups stack up.

Probable Starters

For the Mariners: Bryan Woo, RHP (2-0, 2.84 ERA)

Bryan Woo is quickly becoming one of the Mariners’ most reliable arms, and he’ll look to continue his early-season surge as he takes the ball for his fourth start of the year. Coming off a masterclass against the Texas Rangers — where he threw 7 strong innings, scattering six hits and allowing just one earned run while striking out seven — Woo is riding high with confidence.

He’ll face a legitimate challenge when he takes the mound in the hitter-friendly confines at the Rogers Centre, facing a Blue Jays lineup that doesn’t give away many at-bats. Toronto enters the series with the fifth-best batting average in baseball and ranks near the bottom in strikeout rate — meaning Woo will need to be surgical with his pitch sequencing and execution.

Generating soft contact and working ahead in counts will be key if he wants to neutralize a Jays lineup that thrives on mistakes.

For the Blue Jays: Bowden Francis, RHP (1-2, 3.71 ERA)

Bowden Francis is in the midst of carving out a full-time role in the Blue Jays’ rotation, and through the early goings of 2025, he’s been a steady presence on the mound. Known for his versatility as a swingman over the past three seasons, Francis is now getting a longer leash as a starter and has held his own through three turns in the rotation.

Armed with a five-pitch mix, Francis primarily leans on his four-seam fastball (thrown 57 percent of the time) and a deceptive split-finger, while mixing in the occasional curveball. His slider and sinker have taken a backseat in his arsenal but may make a rare appearance. However, don’t be surprised if he moves away from that blueprint against Seattle — recent trends show opposing pitchers leaning heavily on offspeed and breaking stuff to disrupt the Mariners’ timing.

Francis has logged between five and six innings in each of his starts this season, allowing at least two earned runs in all three. He’s not overpowering, but he pounds the zone and dares hitters to beat him — a strategy that can work until it doesn’t. The Mariners may have a chance to strike if they can lay off the splitter and capitalize early in counts.

Mariners Lineup vs. Francis

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

Blue Jays Lineup vs. Woo

1. SS Bo Bichette (R)
2. 1B Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (R)
3. DH Anthony Santander (S)
4. 2B Andrés Giménez (L)
5. CF George Springer (R)
6. RF Addison Barger (L)
7. C Alejandro Kirk (R)
8. 3B Will Wagner (L)
9. LF Alan Roden (L)

How can I watch the Mariners today?

Streaming Options:

• Nationwide: Available via AppleTV+

Radio Broadcast:

• Seattle Region: Tune in to Seattle Sports 710 AM or stream the audio live at seattlesports.com.​
• Toronto Region: Fans can listen to the game via Sportsnet 590 The FAN (AM 590).​

What's at stake?

Both the Mariners and Blue Jays enter this series riding the momentum of back-to-back wins, and each is aiming to build on that surge — while making sure the other doesn’t walk away with a three-game streak of their own. But for Toronto, the mission may feel especially urgent when Raleigh steps into the batter’s box.

The Mariners’ switch-hitting catcher is absolutely scorching right now, and if there’s one ballpark he’s made a habit of torching, it’s Rogers Centre. In just 30 career at-bats in Toronto, Raleigh has launched six home runs and driven in 10 runs.

With six homers in his last six games overall, slowing down Raleigh will be priority No. 1 for a Blue Jays team trying to keep pace in the AL East. The Mariners, meanwhile, are looking to keep their own momentum alive and claw their way toward the top of the AL West. With both clubs sitting in second place in their respective divisions, this early-season showdown feels like a measuring stick between two teams trying to prove they belong in the contender conversation.