Mariners-Guardians Game 3 Preview: CLE at SEA March 28

The upcoming game between the Seattle Mariners and the Cleveland Guardians is shaping up to be a real test of early-season tweaks. Seattle’s still hunting for its first hit of the year, and with a lineup reshuffle to face a lefty starter, fans are eager to see how Bryan Woo looks in his season debut—and how carefully the Mariners manage his innings.

J.P. Crawford’s return adds another wrinkle, and with a 6:40 PDT start, Saturday night feels less about the box score and more about how Seattle juggles its roster as the season finally gets rolling.

Lineup shakeup aims to spark offense vs lefty Cantillo

Seattle’s giving Cantillo a different look tonight. Rob Refsnyder will lead off as the designated hitter, bumping Dom Canzone out of the lineup.

Victor Robles moves to right field and hits seventh. Cole Young keeps his spot at second base, which says a lot about the team’s trust in him right now.

It’s clear the Mariners want to lean on their right-handed bats and see what Young can do with more playing time, even with Ryan Bliss hanging around as a depth option.

Lineup changes for Cantillo

• Rob Refsnyder leads off as DH, replacing Dom Canzone.
• Victor Robles moves to right field, hitting seventh.
• Cole Young stays at second base, showing he’s not just a platoon guy.
• Ryan Bliss sticks as an infield backup for now.

Pitching matchup and workload management

Bryan Woo gets the nod for his first start of the season. Seattle’s front office is mapping out his workload, hoping to keep him healthy and sharp all year, according to The Seattle Times.

On the other side, Cantillo—who split time between the pen and the rotation last year—brings a nasty changeup that made hitters miss nearly half the time in 2025. After locking down a rotation spot in July, he finished with a 2.96 ERA and a 3.21 FIP over 13 starts.

His command still needs work, but there’s been progress. The curveball is his best breaking pitch, and he’s been tinkering with a new slider grip in spring to get more bite.

Cantillo’s arsenal and Woo’s plans

• Changeup stands out with a high whiff rate.
• Curveball is his top breaking ball.
• Slider grip got a spring training tweak for more action.
• Bryan Woo returns for his season debut, with Seattle pacing his innings.
• The Seattle Times says workload management is a big part of the club’s plan.

Notes on J.P. Crawford and game details

J.P. Crawford is back in Seattle, working through a shoulder issue. That adds another layer to Saturday’s lineup choices.

First pitch is at 6:40 PDT, with the game on Mariners TV and 710 ESPN on radio. Fans are hoping Seattle finally breaks the early-season silence and curious to see how the bullpen and bench get used in a game that might set the mood for the next few weeks.

What to watch and where to watch

• First-hit pursuit: Seattle wants to end the historic zero-hit start and will probably test Cantillo’s adjustments right away.
• Young at second and the rest of the infield setup might give us a peek into Seattle’s early-season plans.
• Woo’s workload and how the team manages his innings as the year gets rolling.

These two clubs are set to clash in April, both eager to make their mark. It’s not really about playing a flawless game—it’s about blending youth with experience and seeing what sticks.

The Mariners have to figure out Cantillo’s changeup, while Cantillo himself is still ironing out his command. Woo’s strategic rest adds another layer, and all of these moving parts might just show us how Seattle plans to stay competitive through a long, demanding season.

If you’re a fan, Saturday feels like the start of something bigger. There’s resilience, there’s depth, and honestly, there’s a bit of mystery to how this Mariners team will answer all the early questions as the months unfold.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Mariners Game #3 Preview and Discussion: CLE at SEA, 3/28/26