The Seattle Mariners are gearing up for a critical offseason following their 22nd postseason miss in 23 years. Despite having a strong pitching rotation and standout players like Julio Rodriguez and Cal Raleigh, the team struggled offensively and fell short of playoff contention.

President of Baseball Operations Jerry Dipoto indicated a potential increase in payroll, though owner John Stanton hinted at a more conservative approach in free agency. The Mariners may need to explore trades to enhance their offense, with young pitcher Bryce Miller emerging as a possible trade candidate due to his impressive performance and potential.

The Seattle Mariners have garnered attention for their impressive pitching development, with four of their five major league starters being home-grown talents. As they approached the 2024 MLB Draft, the team focused on enhancing their minor league pitching depth, selecting 15 pitchers among their 20 picks.

One standout from this draft is Hunter Cranton, who showcased remarkable velocity in the Mariners' farm system, averaging 97.2 mph. He played a pivotal role in the Modesto Nuts' championship run, earning recognition as the Mariners' No. 30 prospect. Additionally, Carlos Vargas, a pitcher for the Tacoma Rainiers, made waves with a pitch clocked at 100.3 mph.

The Seattle Mariners secured a 2-0 victory over the Oakland Athletics at T-Mobile Park, concluding their season with an 83-77 record. Despite missing the playoffs, the Mariners delighted their fans with the win, marking a notable moment in team history as it was the 10th time they've won a game 2-0 with two home runs.

Mitch Garver and Cal Raleigh provided the only runs with solo home runs, bringing Garver's season total to 15 and Raleigh's to a career-high of 31. The Mariners utilized five pitchers for the shutout, with Bryan Woo starting the game.

Several key players were rested, leaving fans curious about the lineup for the final games of the season. The Mariners will face the Athletics again on Saturday night, with Emerson Hancock set to pitch against Joey Estes.

Saturday's seven-game slate on FanDuel features a mix of pitching options, with only one player priced over $10,000. The Dodgers are expected to shine in Coors Field, while lower game totals in Seattle and Atlanta suggest a more subdued offensive environment.

Seth Lugo and Yoshinobu Yamamoto are key pitchers to watch, with Lugo showing consistent quality starts. Shohei Ohtani stands out as a must-have player, while Julio Rodriguez and Francisco Lindor are also strong targets.

For budget-friendly options, Michael Harris and Adolis Garcia are worth considering, and a stack against Zebby Matthews of the Twins with Anthony Santander, Colton Cowser, and Adley Rutschman could yield dividends.

The Seattle Mariners are making adjustments to their starting rotation with only two games remaining in the regular season. Rookie Emerson Hancock will take the mound against the Oakland Athletics on Saturday, while Logan Gilbert is set to pitch on Sunday.

This decision comes as Bryce Miller, who would have started Saturday, has already exceeded his previous career innings. Hancock has performed well in his opportunities this season, while Gilbert's start may be limited to allow for a farewell ovation from fans.