The Seattle Mariners and San Diego Padres wrap up their three-game interleague series on Sunday, May 18, 2025, at Petco Park, with the Mariners looking to complete a series sweep and build momentum after a difficult stretch, while the Padres aim to salvage the finale and avoid their third straight home loss. Seattle has controlled the first two games of the series with a combination of dominant pitching, clutch hitting, and disciplined at-bats, winning 6–1 and 4–1 while showcasing the formula that made them early-season contenders in the AL West. In the second game, Emerson Hancock delivered his best outing of the season, reaching 97.6 mph on his fastball and navigating San Diego’s toughest hitters—including Manny Machado—with precision and confidence, allowing just one run through six innings and setting the tone for the bullpen. On the offensive side, catcher Cal Raleigh has continued his breakout campaign, hitting a go-ahead home run and showing advanced plate discipline with multiple walks, while Julio Rodríguez and J.P. Crawford have contributed with timely hits and pressure on the basepaths. The Mariners’ bullpen has been another key factor, with lefty Gabe Speier, right-hander Matt Brash, and middle reliever Casey Legumina bridging the gap to closer Andrés Muñoz, who has locked down late-inning opportunities with overpowering stuff and sharp command. Seattle has also shown its offensive versatility, adding late insurance runs by working counts and exploiting Padres pitching fatigue in the later innings.

San Diego, meanwhile, has seen its offense go cold at the wrong time, managing just two runs in the series despite a lineup packed with stars like Fernando Tatis Jr., Manny Machado, and Xander Bogaerts. Starter Nick Pivetta’s struggles with pitch efficiency in Game 2 forced an early exit and left the bullpen overexposed, while the offense failed to mount any sustained threats outside of scattered base runners. As the Padres hand the ball to Michael King in the finale, they’ll need more than just a quality start—they’ll need timely hits, better approaches with runners in scoring position, and sharper defensive execution, especially in the late innings. King, who has been reliable for most of the season, will look to reverse San Diego’s slide and contain a Mariners team that’s regained its confidence and swagger. The outcome of Sunday’s finale could swing momentum for both clubs as they approach the midpoint of the season: a sweep would give Seattle a much-needed boost heading into a difficult upcoming schedule, while a win for the Padres could steady the ship and help restore belief in their NL West campaign. With strong pitching matchups, superstar names on both sides, and contrasting recent form, the rubber match of the Vedder Cup series promises playoff-like energy and high-stakes execution between two teams hungry to prove they can consistently compete with the league’s best.