Guardians and Mariners Set for Sunday Showdown

Cleveland and Seattle face off in key early-season MLB matchup

Mar. 29, 2026 at 9:37am

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The Cleveland Guardians (2-1) and Seattle Mariners (1-2) are set to square off on Sunday night in a pivotal early-season MLB matchup. The Guardians will send Slade Cecconi to the mound, while the Mariners counter with Emerson Hancock. Seattle is favored at home, but Cleveland is looking to build on its strong start to the season.

Why it matters

This game features two teams with high expectations for the 2026 season. The Guardians are looking to build on their 88-win campaign in 2025, while the Mariners are hoping to return to the playoffs after a 90-win season a year ago. A win here could provide an early boost in the standings for either club.

The details

The Mariners will be without several key players due to injuries, including shortstop J.P. Crawford and pitcher Bryce Miller. The Guardians also have some injury concerns, with outfielder George Valera and pitchers Andrew Walters and Hunter Gaddis all on the injured list. Both teams will be looking to their depth to step up in this matchup.

  • The game is scheduled for Sunday, March 30, 2026 at 7:20 p.m. EDT.
  • The Guardians and Mariners have already played three games in their season-opening series, with Cleveland leading 2-1.

The players

Slade Cecconi

The Guardians' starting pitcher for Sunday's game, looking to build on a promising 2025 season.

Emerson Hancock

The Mariners' starting pitcher, a highly-touted prospect making his second start of the young season.

J.P. Crawford

The Mariners' starting shortstop, currently on the 10-day injured list with a shoulder injury.

Bryce Miller

A key member of the Mariners' pitching staff, currently on the 15-day injured list with an oblique strain.

George Valera

The Guardians' starting outfielder, on the 10-day injured list with a calf injury.

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What they’re saying

“We're excited to get back out there and try to even up the series against a tough Mariners team. Slade has been throwing the ball well, and we're confident he can give us a quality start.”

— Terry Francona, Guardians Manager

“Losing some key guys to injury is never easy, but we have a deep roster and guys are ready to step up. Emerson is looking forward to the challenge of facing a strong Guardians lineup.”

— Scott Servais, Mariners Manager

What’s next

The winner of Sunday's game will take a 3-1 lead in the season series between the two teams. The Guardians and Mariners will then have a day off before resuming their schedules on Tuesday, April 1st.

The takeaway

This early-season matchup between the Guardians and Mariners features two teams with high expectations and playoff aspirations. Despite some key injuries, both clubs have the depth and talent to make a run in 2026, making this a must-watch game for MLB fans.