Seattle Mariners vs Chicago Cubs — Mar 12, 2026 | AI Prediction & Stats

Chicago sends left-hander Justin Steele to the mound, while Seattle counters with right-hander George Kirby. Steele’s heavy two-seam/slider mix has historically muted the Mariners’ left-hand power (Cal Raleigh, J.P. Crawford), and his ability to get ground balls plays well in Wrigley’s still-cool March conditions. Kirby’s elite strike-throwing keeps this close early, but the Cubs’ right-hand bats (Christopher Morel, Seiya Suzuki) finally capitalize in the 4th when Suzuki rips a two-run double after a Dansby Swanson walk and a Nico Hoerner single. Seattle scratches out single tallies in the 3rd and 5th—Julio Rodríguez legs out an infield hit, steals second, and scores on a Ty France liner; later, Raleigh ambushes a first-pitch cutter for a solo shot—but Steele limits further damage by inducing a key 5-4-3 double play from Mitch Haniger. Once the game reaches the bullpens, Chicago’s late-inning trio of Mark Leiter Jr., Julian Merryweather, and Adbert Alzolay proves steadier than a Mariners relief corps that has been worked hard in camp. In the 7th, Cody Bellinger’s opposite-field bloop extends the lead, and Pete Crow-Armstrong’s pinch-run speed manufactures an insurance run in the 8th. Momentum and roster depth tilt the matchup. The Cubs arrive on a modest 4-2 run this spring, their lineup appears deeper one through nine, and their bench now boasts lefty masher Alexander Canario. Seattle’s recent three-game win streak came against lighter competition, and lingering WBC travel leaves their bullpen thin; manager Dan Wilson signals pre-game that Andrés Muñoz will be limited after a 28-pitch outing two nights ago. Bottom line: Steele outduels Kirby, Chicago’s balanced offense chips away all afternoon, and Alzolay records a clean ninth to seal a 5-3 Cubs victory.