The Toronto Blue Jays have a roster that is structured to compete in the playoffs. While many expect the Blue Jays to win in three games, the Seattle Mariners made a statement in Game One. But it was expected to be a great matchup between the Mariners and Blue Jays. Both teams have great starters, the Mariners have a better defense and bullpen while the Blue Jays may have the better lineup.
The Mariners put together a lineup that had not been used in the regular season. The game started with Rookie of the year candidate Julio Rodriguez being hit by a pitch in the first inning, Ty France advanced Rodriguez on an infield grounder, and Eugenio Suarez drove him in with an RBI single. Cal Raleigh continued his historic season with home run No. 28 on the year, his first in the postseason.
“It all goes back to having a simple approach,” Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh said postgame. “what you learn and what you come up doing.”
When the Mariners traded for Luis Castillo, they knew what they were getting. These are the types of games that they picked him up for. The Mariners’ new ace, who signed an extension with the Mariners just a couple of weeks ago, went seven scoreless innings and pitched his way into the eighth.
STARTING PITCHING
The Mariners got to Alek Manoah early but he was able to get through five, while the Blue Jays were not able to get anything off of Castillo.
Final Lines
Manoah went 5 2/3 innings while giving up four runs on four hits. He struck out four and walked one as well.
Castillo went 7 1/3 innings while only giving up six hits. He finished with five strikeouts as well.
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Bullpens
The Blue Jays had to go deep into their bullpen using five pitchers in the back half of game one. Meanwhile, the Mariners only had to use one member of the ‘Los Bomberos’ in Andres Munoz. The Mariners flamethrower pitched the final 1 1/3 innings. This could give the Mariners an edge into the rest of the series.
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The four runs scored by the Mariners were all they needed as they pick up the second postseason shutout in franchise history.
Mariners and Blue Jays – What’s Next:
Game two starts tomorrow at the same time: 4PM ET
SEATTLE STARTER: Robbie Ray – Regular Season: 12-12, 3.71 ERA, 212 K’s, 1.19 WHIP
This will be the second time this season that Ray will get to pitch against his former team. First time in the regular season.
TORONTO STARTER: Kevin Gausman – Regular Season: 12-10, 3.35 ERA, 205 K’s, 1.24 WHIP
More to come…
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