Gilbert draws dream matchup in G1 clash vs. Verlander

HOUSTON -- Days after Logan Gilbert was drafted by the Mariners in 2018, taken with their first-round pick, the cerebrally competitive, yet sheepishly unassuming, pitcher took in his first game at T-Mobile Park just behind the home dugout.

The Mariners were a half-game ahead of the Astros for first place in the AL West going into the June 13 contest, and Mitch Haniger hit a walk-off home run to send the ticketed crowd of 28,236 into a frenzy. As manager Scott Servais walked off the field, he locked eyes with Gilbert, then 21 years old, then pointed back to the celebratory bedlam and mouthed to the righty: “You will be out here.”

And now, that moment has manifested and the stage is far grander.

Gilbert will start Game 1 of the American League Division Series today at Minute Maid Park, taking the mound opposite Justin Verlander in what might be the most intriguing pitching matchup among the Game 1 slate across the Majors.

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“I knew he needed to be a dude for us to ever get here,” Servais recounted on Monday. “So why not start him in this moment?”

Gilbert was slated to pitch Game 3 of the AL Wild Card Series in Toronto on Sunday, but he wasn’t needed after the Mariners’ incredible comeback that secured a two-game sweep. He last pitched on Sept. 30, giving him 10 full days of rest heading into this outing. Where a long layoff might hinder most starters, it could be a benefit for Gilbert, who threw 185 2/3 innings in the regular season, upwards of 50 more than his previous career high in 2019.

“It's a big change knowing that we usually go on five days, and now, getting those extra days,” Gilbert said. “I've [thrown] off the mound a couple times because I thought I might be starting in Toronto. ... So it's all good changes and nothing bad. It's, if anything, good to get a little extra rest, especially at this point in the year."

Fatigue has been a theme of observation for the Mariners’ young arms, specifically Gilbert, and more so, George Kirby, as they charter through innings accumulation that they’ve never previously reached.

But after a tough stretch out of the All-Star break, which featured two starts against these Astros, Gilbert has hit his stride, with a 2.00 ERA while holding hitters to a .195/.250/.305 (.555 OPS) slash line in his final six regular-season starts. It was a similar showing to September 2021, when he had a 2.70 ERA and a .205/.252/.347 (.598) slash line.

“I think just being out there knowing that we're playing in big games and big moments, it's easy to get up,” Gilbert said. “Your body gets excited and amped up. So I think that's probably a big part of it.”

Gilbert also had the most success against Houston of any Seattle starter in the regular season other than Chris Flexen, who probably won’t be used as a starter after transitioning to the bullpen in early August. Gilbert had a 2.52 ERA and held the Astros to a .228/.283/.348 (.631 OPS) slash line in four outings, with the Mariners going 2-2 in those starts. Of note, he surrendered just one homer against the 100 batters faced.

His task will be tall, especially facing Verlander, who will go down among the greatest pitchers of his generation in what might be his best season yet. Gilbert grew up regularly watching the two-time Cy Young Award winner, who put together an unprecedented season at age 39 while returning from Tommy John surgery. Verlander went 18-4 with an MLB-leading and career-best 1.75 ERA over 28 starts.

“I, obviously, really respect him and am so impressed with what he's done this year, especially after [Tommy John surgery],” Gilbert said. “He was one of the guys I looked up to growing up early on, so it was a big deal getting a start against him [in July]. It's a big deal [Tuesday], so I’ll definitely take that in. It only adds to the situation.”

If the Mariners can steal a win in Houston, they’ll flip home-field advantage back in their favor for this best-of-five series -- and they like their chances with the guy they’re rolling out first.