Remember when the guy on opening day was your best starter?
Posted: Fri Mar 20, 2026 1:12 pm
Boy, those were the good old days huh?
Nice puff piece by the Seattle Times, basically glossing over the fact that even at the end of the year last year? Gilbert was our 3rd best starter at best. I don't get this move. Loyalty is one thing, but their are two starters that would start game one if the playoffs started right now, and neither of them are Logan Gilbert.
Sorry if this has already been discussed, as it seems like old news since I heard it pulling into practice yesterday. But it seems to at least deserve it's own topic? Maybe not, if so? I can delete this one.
Nice puff piece by the Seattle Times, basically glossing over the fact that even at the end of the year last year? Gilbert was our 3rd best starter at best. I don't get this move. Loyalty is one thing, but their are two starters that would start game one if the playoffs started right now, and neither of them are Logan Gilbert.
Sorry if this has already been discussed, as it seems like old news since I heard it pulling into practice yesterday. But it seems to at least deserve it's own topic? Maybe not, if so? I can delete this one.
https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/mar ... subscriberLogan Gilbert named Mariners’ opening day starter for second straight year
March 19, 2026 at 2:23 pm Updated March 19, 2026 at 5:42 pm
By Tim Booth
Seattle Times staff reporter
PEORIA, Ariz. — For the second straight year, it will be Logan Gilbert taking the mound on opening night.
The Mariners announced Thursday that Gilbert will be the first pitcher to take the mound this season, getting the nod for next Thursday’s season opener against Cleveland.
M’s manager Dan Wilson said all of the starters were brought together and told of the decision.
“As we’ve done a lot in the past, we pulled all of them in and obviously these are difficult decisions, and every one of those guys is a number one,” Wilson said. “But just where we are right now in spring Logan was the guy that is slated for that.”
Entering his sixth full season as part of the Mariners rotation, Gilbert has become the leader to one of the most talented pitching staffs in all of baseball. He’s matured from being a gangly kid into one of the best right-handers in the American League, who will have his young son in the stands to see his dad take the mound against the Guardians.
While his Henry won’t remember dad pitching in this opener, Gilbert certainly will remember the significance.
“There’s nothing better. I think of when I saw [Tarik] Skubal last year in the playoffs warm up in the pen and his son or daughter was right there, and he held him or her, and just like a moment like that, that’s the things you remember 50 years from now,” Gilbert said. “So it’s going to be really cool. I want to soak it in.”
It always seemed likely that either Gilbert or Bryan Woo would end up getting the ball to start the season, although George Kirby also was likely a consideration. The fact it’s Gilbert speaks to his time spent in the organization and how well he’s bounced back after missing time last season with a flexor strain in his right arm.
“It’s great to see Logan get the ball and we’re excited about all those guys taking the ball when they do so,” Wilson said. “But I think the way that we’ve seen Logan develop over the years and him coming off of a year where he was on the IL for the first time, I really appreciate the way he’s bounced back from that and he’s certainly ready to go.”
https://twitter.com/Mariners/status/2034747611811598682
Gilbert started the opener last year at home against the Athletics and turned in one of his best performances of the season when he allowed only two hits and one earned run over seven innings in the victory. But by the end of April, arm issues emerged and Gilbert didn’t pitch in a game between April 25 and June 16.
Gilbert stayed healthy and finished the season making 25 starts and posted a 3.44 ERA while throwing 131 innings. In the playoffs, Gilbert pitched in another four games — including the first relief appearance of his career in Game 5 of the ALDS against Detroit.
“Every year is so unique, just because of things constantly changing. Last year, a lot of people had really good years. I felt good about it, but of course had the little IL stint. So that’s why I say that,” Gilbert said. “I definitely see myself in this role, this type of pitcher and have for a long time, but I also understand we have a lot of really talented arms.“
Gilbert is the 11th different pitcher in franchise history to get multiple opening day starts. Félix Hernández started 11 of 12 years on opening day between 2007-18. Since his run ended, Marco Gonzales started three straight seasons (2019-21), Robbie Ray started one (2022) and Luis Castillo started 2023 and 2024.
“I think he’s very excited to take the ball and start the year out for us,” Wilson said. “All these guys are deserving of being an opening day starter. This time around, it’s Logan again.”
Gilbert will make his final start of the spring in a minor league game Friday. He hinted that the rest of the rotation has been set but Wilson wasn’t ready to unveil how it will shake out.
“We got Logan set for the opener, and continuing to look at how it all stacks coming out of here,” Wilson said.
Tim Booth: Tim Booth is a sports reporter at The Seattle Times, where he covers the Kraken and the ongoing story surrounding possible NBA expansion and helps with coverage of the Seahawks and Mariners.
