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The stage is set for an exciting matchup in the American League Championship Series as the Toronto Blue Jays prepare to face the Seattle Mariners. This series follows the Mariners’ dramatic victory over the Detroit Tigers in a historic Game 5 of their Division Series, where they clinched a 3-2 win after an intense 15-inning battle.
This game marked a significant milestone as it became the longest winner-take-all game in the history of Major League Baseball postseason play. The Mariners secured their victory thanks to Jorge Polanco’s crucial single, bringing home J.P. Crawford and breaking a tie established in the seventh inning.
Upcoming ALCS schedule and team backgrounds
The best-of-seven series will commence on Sunday at 8:03 p.m. ET in Toronto, where the Blue Jays will host the Mariners. Following Game 1, Toronto will welcome Seattle again for Game 2 on Monday, before the series shifts to T-Mobile Park for Games 3 and 4 on Wednesday and Thursday.
Both teams have distinguished themselves this season. The Blue Jays clinched the AL East title with an impressive 94-68 record and will aim to leverage their home-field advantage. Meanwhile, the Mariners finished atop the AL West with a 90-72 record, propelled by a strong late-season surge that pushed them ahead of the Houston Astros.
Historical context and previous encounters
This series carries a unique narrative as both the Blue Jays and Mariners emerged from the 1977 expansion of Major League Baseball. The Blue Jays quickly became competitive, reaching their first ALCS in 1985 and winning consecutive World Series titles in 1992 and 1993.
In contrast, the Mariners had to wait until 1995 for their postseason debut, being one of the last teams to reach the playoffs after the expansion.
Despite their long history, the Mariners have yet to appear in a World Series, with their last ALCS appearance occurring in 2001.
Interestingly, the Mariners hold a recent edge in postseason matchups, having swept the Blue Jays in the Wild Card Series last year.
Key players and team strengths
The Blue Jays are coming off a decisive 3-1 victory over the New York Yankees in their ALDS. The pitching duo of Kevin Gausman and Trey Yesavage played pivotal roles in this success, delivering standout performances. Offensively, the team has been bolstered by Vladimir Guerrero Jr., who has been a force at the plate with a remarkable .529 batting average and nine RBIs in the postseason.
Injury updates and potential reinforcements
As the Blue Jays prepare for the ALCS, they remain hopeful that star shortstop Bo Bichette will return after missing the end of the regular season and the ALDS due to a knee injury. Additionally, pitchers Max Scherzer and Chris Bassitt are also under consideration for the roster, adding depth to their pitching options.
Mariners’ impressive offensive lineup
The Mariners boast a formidable lineup led by catcher Cal Raleigh, who achieved a staggering 60 home runs and 125 RBIs this season. Alongside Raleigh, Randy Arozarena also had a standout year, hitting a career-high 27 home runs, complemented by 31 stolen bases and 76 RBIs. Right-hander Bryan Woo, who has a 15-7 record and a stellar 2.94 ERA, missed the ALDS due to a pectoral injury but is expected to be ready for the upcoming series.
Fan engagement and ticket challenges
The Blue Jays have historically enjoyed strong support from fans in the Pacific Northwest, where many from British Columbia travel to Seattle for games. However, with rising playoff ticket prices and potential restrictions on sales to out-of-region fans, the dynamics may shift, possibly favoring the home crowd at T-Mobile Park.
This game marked a significant milestone as it became the longest winner-take-all game in the history of Major League Baseball postseason play. The Mariners secured their victory thanks to Jorge Polanco’s crucial single, bringing home J.P. Crawford and breaking a tie established in the seventh inning.0
