The American League Championship Series is underway, featuring the Toronto Blue Jays against the Seattle Mariners. This is a pivotal matchup as both teams aim to make history, with the Blue Jays competing in their first ALCS since 2016 and the Mariners arriving at this stage for the first time since 2001. Interestingly, both franchises were established as expansion teams in 1977, and they have never faced each other in a postseason series until now.
Playoff History and Current Form
In their last postseason encounter during the 2022 Wild Card Series, the Mariners staged a remarkable comeback, overcoming an 8-1 deficit to eliminate the Blue Jays at home. Many core players on the Mariners roster, including Cal Raleigh, Andrés Muñoz, Julio Rodríguez, and J.P. Crawford, were part of this historic moment. Fast forward to 2025, the Blue Jays finished the regular season with a superior record of 94 wins, compared to the Mariners’ 90. Toronto also prevailed in their season series against Seattle, winning four of six games.
Game Location and Team Dynamics
The first game of the ALCS will take place at Rogers Centre in Toronto, granting the Blue Jays home-field advantage. The Mariners come off a grueling victory over the Detroit Tigers in 15 innings, which might have left their bullpen and starting rotation strained. In contrast, the Blue Jays are refreshed, having won their last series against the Yankees and benefitting from a week of rest.
Pitching Matchup for Game 1
In Game 1, the starting pitchers will be Seattle’s Bryce Miller and Toronto’s Kevin Gausman. Miller, a 24-year-old right-hander, will be pitching on just three days’ rest after starting Game 4 in the previous series. His pitch count was limited to 55 pitches over 4.1 innings, raising concerns about potential fatigue. Conversely, Gausman, an experienced ace for the Blue Jays, enters the game fully rested after the team’s bye week. He has been the cornerstone of the Toronto rotation this season, posting a 3.59 ERA over 193 innings.
Offensive Strengths and Key Players
- Toronto Blue Jays: The Blue Jays boasted one of the most dynamic offenses in the league, tallying 34 runs in four Divisional Series games. Key offensive contributors include:
- Vladimir Guerrero Jr.: .529 batting average, 3 home runs, 9 RBIs.
- Ernie Clement: .643 batting average.
- Daulton Varsho: .438 average with 2 home runs.
- Alejandro Kirk: 2 home runs and a crucial double.
- Seattle Mariners: The Mariners look to their main offensive weapon, Cal Raleigh, who recently set a record for home runs by a catcher with 60. While Raleigh had a postseason batting average of .381 (8 hits in 21 at-bats), the rest of Seattle’s lineup struggled, managing a mere .184 average against Detroit, highlighting the need for contributions from players like Julio Rodríguez, Eugenio Suárez, and Randy Arozarena.
Mexican Stars in the Spotlight
This Championship Series features a significant Mexican angle, showcasing players Alejandro Kirk and Andrés Muñoz, who both had exceptional seasons and were selected for their second All-Star appearances. Born in Tijuana and Los Mochis respectively, both players will play crucial roles in their teams’ quest for the World Series. Despite Kirk’s bat strength, he has yet to secure a hit against Muñoz in their three previous matchups.
As this exciting series unfolds, all eyes will be on how these Mexican players impact their teams and the iconic matchup between the Blue Jays and Mariners.
