The Toronto Blue Jays faced off against the Seattle Mariners in Game 1 of the Wild Card series yesterday. The Mariners were playing in their first postseason game in 21 years while the Blue Jays were playing their first home postseason game since 2016. Luis Castillo absolutely dominated for the Mariners pitching 7.1 innings without allowing a run. Alek Manoah took the first inning to settle down and allowed three runs in the first, and that’s all Castillo needed. These two teams will face off today in Game 2 of this Wild Card series with Kevin Gausman and Robbie Ray starting. Both these starters signed long term deals before this season with their respective teams after being on a previous team last season. Kevin Gausman appeared in the playoffs last season, but he didn’t pitch too well. Robbie Ray appeared in the playoffs three times but struggled as a starter. Both these starters have made multiple playoff appearances but only one playoff start. And both starters struggled in that playoff start. I think we’ll see a better pitched game today between the two, something similar to Game 1.
Kevin Gausman has appeared in multiple playoff games before, but he has only started one, and that was last season. He didn’t fare too well. He allowed four earned runs in 5.1 IP while walking three batters. Robbie Ray has made three career playoff appearances with just one start, and he also struggled. He allowed four earned runs and four walks in 2.1 IP in his only playoff start. The Mariners have won five straight games against the Blue Jays now. They swept a four-game series at home in July against the Blue Jays and have been on a roll against them since. The Mariners also have the slight bullpen advantage with their depth. However, the Blue Jays have plenty of bullpen pieces themselves, they just don’t have the depth the Mariners have.
I thought this series would go three games regardless of who won the first game, we were just unfortunate to be on the wrong side in Game 1. So, I was planning on playing whoever lost in Game 1 in this article regardless of who it was. The Blue Jays are at home, and I think they will be happy to face literally anyone other than Luis Castillo today. Take the Blue Jays to force a winner take all game.
Blue Jays -150 vs. Mariners