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The stage is set for an electrifying American League Championship Series (ALCS) as the Toronto Blue Jays prepare to meet their expansion counterparts, the Seattle Mariners. This matchup follows the Mariners’ victory over the Detroit Tigers in a historic Game 5 of their Division Series, which extended to an impressive 15 innings and concluded with a thrilling score of 3-2.
This game is now recognized as the longest winner-take-all contest in the history of Major League Baseball playoffs. The decisive moment arrived when Jorge Polanco delivered a critical single off pitcher Tommy Kahnle, enabling J.P. Crawford to score the winning run.
Up until that point, neither team had managed to break the tie since the Mariners equalized at 2-2 in the seventh inning.
Overview of the Championship Series
The highly anticipated ALCS will commence on Sunday at 8:03 p.m.
ET, hosted by the Blue Jays in Toronto. After the opening game, Toronto will welcome the Mariners for Game 2 on Monday, before the series shifts to Seattle for Game 3 on Wednesday.
This playoff series features the top two seeds in the American League.
The Blue Jays concluded the regular season with an impressive 94-68 record, clinching the AL East title. Meanwhile, the Mariners made a strong late-season push, finishing with a 90-72 record, securing the top position in the AL West.
Both teams enjoyed a bye during the Wild Card round, heightening the anticipation for their matchup.
Season performances and head-to-head stats
During the regular season, the Blue Jays held a winning record against the Mariners, finishing with 4-2 in their head-to-head matchups.
Notably, Toronto achieved their first sweep in Seattle since 1991 during a three-game series from May 9-11. Conversely, the Mariners secured two victories out of three games played at Rogers Centre from April 18-20.
Both franchises entered the league in 1977, with the Blue Jays quickly establishing themselves as contenders. They made their ALCS debut in 1985 and celebrated back-to-back World Series victories in 1992 and 1993. In contrast, the Mariners faced a longer wait for postseason success, finally reaching the playoffs in 1995, the inaugural year of the expanded playoff format. Despite their efforts, the Mariners have yet to compete in a World Series, with their last ALCS appearance recorded in 2001.
Current team dynamics and key players
In their recent ALDS matchup, the Blue Jays triumphed over the New York Yankees with a score of 3-1, showcasing exceptional pitching from Kevin Gausman and Trey Yesavage. Offensively, they were led by the outstanding performance of Vladimir Guerrero Jr., who achieved an impressive .529 batting average along with nine RBIs.
As the Blue Jays prepare for the ALCS, they are hopeful for the return of star shortstop Bo Bichette, who has been recovering from a knee injury that sidelined him at the end of the regular season as well as during the ALDS. Additionally, pitchers Max Scherzer and Chris Bassitt may bolster the roster, with final decisions expected to be announced on Sunday.
Mariners’ strengths and key contributors
The Mariners are no slouches either, boasting a formidable lineup led by catcher Cal Raleigh, who topped the league with an impressive 60 home runs this season and recorded 125 RBIs, the highest in the AL. Alongside him are fellow All-Stars Randy Arozarena and Bryan Woo. Arozarena had a breakout season with 27 home runs, 31 stolen bases, and 76 RBIs, while Woo, despite missing the ALDS due to pectoral inflammation, had a commendable record of 15-7 and a 2.94 ERA.
The Pacific Northwest has often felt like a second home for the Blue Jays, with loyal supporters from British Columbia filling the stands at T-Mobile Park during Toronto’s annual visits. However, the rising costs of playoff tickets, along with restrictions on online sales to out-of-region fans, may create a more favorable atmosphere for the Mariners during this series.
