The Seattle Mariners have once again “swept” through Toronto, only this time the series doesn’t stop at two games. With a 2-0 lead in the series, the Mariners host the Blue Jays at T-Mobile Park, where
a victory today will only put them one win away from the World Series. For the Mariners, they have reached new heights, but the stakes have never been higher.
Lineups:
Pitching Match-up:
The Seattle Mariners will pencil in George Kirby as the starter for game three, his first appearance in this ALCS, or any ALCS. Kirby has pitched in two playoff games for the Mariners this year, both in the ALDS against Detroit. In both games he went five innings, striking out eight and allowing two runs on six hits on Oct. 4th, and striking out six and allowing one run on three hits on Oct. 10th, and walking nobody in either. Today he makes the start on full rest, and on the anniversary of his playoff start debut where he went 7.o IP, struck out five, and walked nobody while allowing no runs on six hits against the Houston Astros.
For the Toronto Blue Jays, 2020 Cy Young Award winner Shane Bieber is getting tabbed to make the game three start, and will be attempting to get Toronto their first win in the series. This is Bieber’s second playoff appearance this year, his first an Oct. 7th start against the New York Yankees where he only lasted 2.2 IP, struck out two and walked one, and allowed two earned runs on five hits.
Game Information:
Game time: 5:08 PM Pacific
TV: FOX with Joe Davis and John Smoltz on the call, Ken Rosenthal and Tom Verducci on the field
Radio: Seattle Sports (710 AM) with Rick Rizzs, Aaron Goldsmith, and Gary Hill Jr., as as broadcast live on ESPN radio.
Recommended Reading:
- Site alum Michael Ajeto outlined just what changes have been made to elevate Eduard Bazardo into the mix of Seattle’s best relief options.
- Editor-in-Chief Kate Preusser highlights a swing in Toronto’s approach to attacking pitching, and more specifically how they have been attacking the Mariner’s rotation in the series so far.
- If you want a reason to love Josh Naylor more than you do, Ryan Blake took a deep dive into Josh’s home run from game two of the ALCS, and why he may be the only player that could or would have done that.
Today in Mariners History:
- 1995 – Cleveland claims a hard-fought 3-2 win in Game 5 of the ALCS. Jim Thome’s two-run HR in the bottom of the sixth erased a 2-1 Seattle advantage.
- 2001 – The Mariners beat Cleveland, 3-1, in the deciding Game 5 of the ALDS.
- 2022 – The Mariners host the first playoff game in Seattle since 2001, playing in front of 47,690 fans. Félix Hernández throws out the ceremonial first pitch. The game goes 18 innings in an eventual 1-0 Astros win via a solo home run in the top of the 18th inning Was tied for the longest game in postseason history.
