Mariners vs Cubs: Game 1 prediction, odds, injuries, and picks

The Cubs host the Mariners in a three-game series starting on Friday. Chicago is coming off a 1-1 tie with the Brewers after the middle game of the set got postponed. Seattle, meanwhile, lost to a resurgent Red Sox squad at home in its most recent outing.

Matthew Boyd is set to start for the NL Central leaders. Boyd has posted a 6-3 record with a 2.79 ERA and 73 strikeouts across 80 2/3 innings this season.

On the other hand, George Kirby will take the bump for the Mariners on the road. The former All-Star has yet to find his form after being shelved due to injury. He owns a 1-3 record with a 5.96 ERA in five starts.

Mariners vs. Cubs recent form and records

The Northsiders sit comfortably at the top of the NL Central standings with a 45-29 record. They've held the lead in the division for most of the year and are 5.5 games ahead of the nearest adversary.

As for the Mariners, the team sits in second place in the AL West with a 37-36 record. A combination of inconsistencies and the resurgence of the Astros has made life difficult for Cal Raleigh and his squad to maintain the lead in their division.

Mariners vs. Cubs odds

Money Line: SEA (+124), CHC (-135)

Run Spread: SEA +1.5 (-169), CHC -1.5 (+142)

Total Runs: O 9.5 (-103), U 9.5 (-115)

Mariners vs. Cubs injuries

SEA injury report

Ryan Bliss (2B): 60-day IL (biceps)
Luke Raley (RF): 10-day IL (oblique)
Victor Robles (RF): 60-day IL (shoulder)
Bryce Miller (SP): 15-day IL (elbow)
Gregory Santos (RP): 60-day IL (knee)

CHC injury report

Shota Imanaga (SP): 15-day IL (hamstring)
Miguel Amaya (C): 10-day IL (oblique)
Javier Assad (SP): 60-day IL (oblique)
Eli Morgan (RP): 60-day IL (elbow)
Justin Steele (SP): 60-day IL (elbow)
Porter Hodge (RP): 15-day IL (oblique, hip)

Mariners vs. Cubs projected lineup

SEA projected lineup

J.P. Crawford (SS)
Julio Rodriguez (CF)
Cal Raleigh (DH)
Jorge Polanco (2B)
Randy Arozarena (LF)
Mitch Garver (C)
Donovan Solano (1B)
Dylan Moore (RF)
Ben Williamson (3B)
George Kirby (SP, 1-3 | 5.96 ERA | 30 K)

CHC projected lineup

Ian Happ (LF)
Kyle Tucker (RF)
Seiya Suzuki (DH)
Pete Crow-Armstrong (CF)
Dansby Swanson (SS)
Michael Busch (1B)
Carson Kelly (C)
Nico Hoerner (2B)
Matt Shaw (3B)
Matthew Boyd (SP, 6-3 | 2.79 ERA | 73 K)

Mariners vs. Cubs picks and game prediction

The Cubs are slightly favored in the opening contest due to the difference in form between the two starters. Expect fireworks between two of the league's best offenses in Chicago.

Run Line: CHI -1.5 (+142)

Total Runs: O 9.5 (-103)

Prediction: CHC wins, 9-5

About the author

Daniel Santiago is a journalist who has been reporting on baseball at Sportskeeda since 2022. He was drawn towards the sport after the underlying statistics and the analysis surrounding it grabbed his attention.

Daniel particularly enjoys furnishing reports about historic events in baseball and analyzing the game through a statistic-based outlook, based on Fangraphs and Baseball-Reference. This is in line with how he enjoyed watching baseball as a pastime. As a writer, he is very particular about cross-checking from reputable sources and doing his due diligence.

He became a lifelong Hideki Matsui fan after his exploits in the 2009 World Series for the New York Yankees. Among the current generation, Daniel's favorites include Shohei Ohtani and Jung Hoo Lee. Daniel is a huge follower of Asian baseball and both Ohtani and Lee have been in the top echelon of their respective leagues during their time with the NPB and KBO.

His favorite moment as a baseball fan was the final at-bat of the 2023 World Baseball Classic between Shohei Ohtani and Mike Trout. He believes there aren't many words to fittingly describe the intensity of the moment.

As an avid sports fan, Daniel watches other sports and Esports when not writing about baseball.

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Edited by Daniel Santiago

Mariners vs Cubs: Game 1 prediction, odds, injuries, and picks - June 20, 2025