In search of 'spark,' Mariners' Kade Anderson to make debut vs. Cubs

Seattle Mariners fans have been searching for a ray of hope for much of the season.

They might have just received a couple of them.

Struggling Cal Raleigh belted a three-run homer and light-hitting Leo Rivas drove in the winning run with two outs in the bottom of the 10th inning Friday, giving the Mariners a 6-5 win over the visiting Chicago Cubs.

But Seattle is abuzz about prized pitching prospect Kade Anderson, who is set to make his major-league debut Saturday in the second contest of a three-game interleague series.

The third overall pick in the 2025 MLB draft after leading LSU to the College World Series championship, the left-hander was 10-1 with a 1.06 ERA at Double-A Arkansas. In 93 1/3 innings with the Travelers, he struck out 135 batters and walked just 13.

"I think he could definitely create a different continuity, a different mix and create some spark," Mariners manager Dan Wilson said of Anderson.

The Mariners could use all the help they can get. Though they've won four of their past six games, they're still four games behind Houston in the American League West and three games back in the wild-card chase with six teams currently ahead of them for that final playoff spot.

"Where we're at with this season, and how we feel like this last month-plus of baseball shapes up, and I think Kade is a guy that can really help us in that department," Wilson said. "And I'm excited to get him out there (Saturday) to get that started."

Anderson will take Bryan Woo's spot in the rotation. Woo experienced discomfort in his right shoulder in a 3-2 victory Sunday at Houston and his return date is uncertain.

Despite hitting four homers Friday -- two by Alex Bregman and one each from Pete Crow-Armstrong and Ian Happ -- the Cubs couldn't manage much else in losing their second in a row.

"It was a night where we weren't good with runners in scoring position (1 for 16)," lamented Cubs manager Craig Counsell, who was ejected between the fifth and sixth innings for arguing a balk call.

"We did hit a bunch of home runs and put five runs on the board but we created some opportunities and couldn't cash them in."

The Cubs plan to send left-hander David Peterson (7-7, 5.29 ERA) to the mound Saturday after a brief demotion to the bullpen.

Peterson is 4-1 with a 4.06 ERA in nine appearances (eight starts) with the Cubs since being acquired from the New York Mets on June 25. Despite beating host Washington 12-6 in his last start Aug. 12, he struggled while giving up four runs (three earned) on nine hits over five innings.

With Edward Cabrera activated from the injured list last weekend, Peterson was sent to the bullpen. He pitched 1 1/3 innings of scoreless relief in a 7-5 victory against the crosstown rival White Sox in 10 innings Monday.

Cabrera developed a blister in his first start back, so Peterson is returning to the rotation. He's 0-0 with a 9.00 ERA in one previous start against Seattle.

--Field Level Media