Mariners Game #36 Preview and Discussion: 5/4/26, ATL at SEA

TL;DR

The Seattle Mariners face the Atlanta Braves after a tough series against the Royals, dealing with multiple injuries. Key players like Gabe Speier are on the IL, while the Braves welcome back Sean Murphy.

Key points

Mariners face Braves after being swept by Royals
Gabe Speier placed on IL with shoulder inflammation
JR Ritchie starts for Braves, with local support
Sean Murphy returns for Braves, while Acuña Jr. is out

Seattle MarinersAtlanta Braves

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - MAY 01: Logan Gilbert #36 of the Seattle Mariners looks on prior to the game against the Kansas City Royals at T-Mobile Park on May 01, 2026 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Olivia Vanni/Getty Images) | Getty Images The Mariners, fresh off a brutal sweep at the hands of the Royals, now have to face one of the best teams in baseball, the Atlanta Braves. Read more about what’s coming in the series preview. To make matters worse, the Mariners are getting steadily more injured without much help on the immediate horizon. Brendan Donovan will start a rehab assignment with Arkansas tomorrow, but he won’t be back for this series; Victor Robles is currently on a rehab assignment in Tacoma but similarly won’t be with the club until next series at the earliest. Cal Raleigh remains out with his mysterious side injury, with no indication from the club about the severity of the injury. The bullpen took another hit today with the news that Gabe Speier is headed to the IL with shoulder inflammation; remains out with his lat issue. The injury bug saw his shadow and that means six more weeks of winter, in which winter is “, everyday third baseman” and “, everyday catcher” and “recruiting bullpen help from local travel teams.” It’s rough out here, folks. **Lineups:** This picture is doing everything it can to spark joy. Local kid JR Ritchie, who grew up on Bainbridge Island, gets the start tonight for the Braves, so don’t be too surprised if you hear a lot of cheering when he strikes a Mariner out – apparently he’s going to have quite a support squad in the building. **Injury updates:** Unfortunately these are all bad, for the Mariners. LHP Gabe Speier is headed to the IL with shoulder inflammation. Read more . Atlanta, conversely, is getting healthier. They welcome back their catcher today; catcher and old AL West foe was DFA’d in a corresponding move, which unfortunately means there’s a chance he could be a Texas Ranger again. The Braves are still fairly beat up, though; isn’t in tonight’s lineup as he battles a quad injury, and will miss this entire series with a hamstring injury. **Tonight’s game information:** Game time: 6:40 PT TV: Mariners TV, with Aaron Goldsmith and Dave Valle, with Angie Mentink as the field analyst Radio: Seattle Sports 710 AM, with Rick Rizzs and Aaron Goldsmith

Q&A

What are the injury updates for the Seattle Mariners before the game against the Braves?

Gabe Speier is on the IL with shoulder inflammation, and other players like Cal Raleigh and Victor Robles are also unavailable due to injuries.

What time does the Mariners vs. Braves game start on May 4, 2026?

The game starts at 6:40 PM PT.

Who is starting for the Atlanta Braves against the Mariners?

Local kid JR Ritchie is starting for the Braves in tonight's game.