<p>Gilbert is one of Seattle's three core rotation pieces, offering steady innings and strikeout potential. His presence helps stabilize the DS, especially with Woo sidelined, ensuring Seattle can lean on a reliable arm in the early games.</p>

Gilbert anchors Seattle’s upside, with Kirby and Castillo forming a formidable trio; his game-to-game rhythm will influence Seattle’s ability to set the pace.

Gilbert emerged as a standout under Weiner's framework, translating makeup and aggressive sequencing into a big-league ceiling, with enhanced strike presence and a more fearless mound persona.

Gilbert tossed five innings with 12 Ks, but a risky splitter and a costly slider miscue against Dalton Rushing capped a strong but imperfect tune-up before the postseason.

Gilbert limited the Dodgers in the early frames, holding them to few baserunners before surrendering a two-run homer in the fifth.