It’s first time vs. long time in the American League Championship Series, as the Seattle Mariners aim to take the last step toward the first World Series appearance in their franchise’s history.
Standing in their way: The Toronto Blue Jays, who haven’t sniffed the Fall Classic since winning consecutive championships in 1992 and ’93. They’re back in the ALCS for the first time since 2016.
And in a playoffs marked by bullpen games and quick hooks, both teams should bring representative starting rotations to the fight.
The Blue Jays added starters Max Scherzer and Chris Bassitt to their ALCS roster, with Scherzer expected to follow Kevin Gausman, Trey Yesavage and Shane Bieber to start Game 4. Bassitt, who missed the AL Division Series with back inflammation, is available as a long man out of the bullpen.
Seattle needs to reload after its 15-inning epic to claim its ALDS against Detroit, and will start Bryce Miller in Game 1.
The first two games are at Toronto’s Rogers Centre, while it shifts to T-Mobile Park in Seattle for Games 3 and 4, and, if necessary, Game 5.
What time is Blue Jays vs Mariners Game 1 today?
First pitch in Game 1 of the ALCS is scheduled for 8:03 p.m. ET.
Where to watch Blue Jays vs Mariners: TV channel, live stream
Watch ALCS live on Fubo
Trey Yesavage says people close to him ‘being attacked’
Trey Yesavage, who will start Game 2 of the ALCS against the Seattle Mariners, began his press conference in advance of that outing decrying the attacks and negativity on loved ones since no-hitting the New York Yankees for 5 ⅓ innings in just his fourth big league start.
‘Living in this world where there’s so many different opinions and feelings which results in a lot of hate, it’s sad to see that people close to me are being attacked for my performances on the field,’ Yesavage told reporters. ‘These people have done nothing to warrant negativity for my actions, whether that’s my parents, my brothers, my girlfriend, family. It’s just really sad.
‘I know I have the platform to address it, so I am. I hope that people can realize that those individuals have nothing to do with what happens on the field or whatnot.
Mariners lineup today
Randy Arozarena (R) LF
Cal Raleigh (S) C
Julio Rodríguez (R) CF
Jorge Polanco (S) 2B
Josh Naylor (L) 1B
Eugenio Suárez (R) 3B
Dominic Canzone (L) DH
Victor Robles (R) RF
J.P. Crawford (L) SS
Blue Jays lineup today
George Springer (R) DH
Nathan Lukes (L) RF
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (R) 1B
Addison Barger (L) 3B
Alejandro Kirk (R) C
Daulton Varsho (L) CF
Ernie Clement (R) 2B
Anthony Santander (S) LF
Andrés Giménez (L) SS
Blue Jays ALCS roster: Max Scherzer, Chris Bassitt return
The Blue Jays made two changes to their roster ahead of Sunday’s Game 1. Veteran pitchers Max Scherzer and Chris Bassitt will be active against the Mariners as the playoff series goes from a best-of-five to a best-of-seven.
An eight-time All-Star, Scherzer (5-5, 5.19 ERA during the regular season) is a candidate to start Game 4, the middle of three consecutive games in Seattle. Bassitt (11-9, 3.96 ERA) last pitched on Sept. 18.
Scherzer and Bassitt replace relievers Justin Bruihl and Tommy Nance.
Blue Jays ALCS roster: Bryan Woo activated
The Mariners will have right-hander Bryan Woo, their best starting pitcher this season, available for the ALCS. Woo (15-7, 2.94 ERA) was not on Seattle’s roster for the ALDS after being sidelined by pectoral inflammation during a start on Sept. 19.
The Mariners also added infielder Miles Mastrobuoni to replace outfielder Luke Raley and infielder Ben Williamson.
Mariners’ Matt Brash back in Canada
A native of Kingston, Ontario about 2½ hours from Toronto, Mariners reliever Matt Brash is expecting a nice turnout of friendly faces at the Rogers Centre.
Prior to Game 1, the right-hander joked with reporters that he didn’t need to teach his Seattle teammates the Canadian national anthem: ‘I think someone sang it on the bus on the way over here, so I think they know it by now.’
Brash also spoke of his fond memories about the 2015 Blue Jays, the first time the team had reached the playoffs since 1993.
‘I’ve always been a Jays fan growing up… I remember all of those players, José Bautista and (Edwin) Encarnación and (Josh) Donaldson and all those guys,’ Brash said. ‘It was kind of my first memories of playoff baseball and being really into it.’