In a game shifted to the evening to dodge the intense heat wave sweeping the American West, the key moments came early. Seattle's starter, George Kirby, had a rocky start in his final preseason appearance.
Despite some initial struggles, Kirby settled in by the sixth inning, allowing just one run. His fastball consistently hit between 96 and 98 mph, and while his slider was hit-or-miss, his changeups and splitters showed promise.
The Chicago Cubs fielded a lineup missing key players like Ian Happ, Alex Bregman, and Nico Hoerner. However, the hitters they did have are expected to play significant roles this season.
Colin Rea's performance against Seattle's likely opening day lineup went smoother than anticipated. Josh Naylor managed a few singles, but overall, the Mariners' offense was subdued.
Elsewhere on the field, Gabe Speier had another tough outing. While there’s no immediate cause for concern, it’s been a challenging spring for the lefty, including his time in the World Baseball Classic.
Cole Young handled shortstop duties well, though he wasn't heavily tested. Meanwhile, Cole Wilcox impressed with a sharp inning in the ninth, suggesting he could be a valuable asset for the team soon.
Yosver Zulueta struggled, unable to record an out, leading to a rough finish. After a promising start, his control faltered, necessitating Michael Rucker's intervention to end the inning.
Luke Raley didn't have standout moments, but his subtle contributions highlighted his potential when fully healthy, something Seattle missed last season.