Mariners vs Blue Jays Series Preview: Manoa Toe’s Mound for Series Opener
Unproven Postseason Pitchers Could Hold the Key in Seattle-Toronto Playoff Series
Toronto Hopes Second-Half Momentum Carries Over to Postseason
This is one of the more surprising postseason matchups and both the visiting Seattle Mariners and host Toronto Blue Jays were a little undervalued going into 2022 season. The Mariners vs Blue Jays Series Preview favors host Toronto.
The Mariners won 10 of their last 12 games against AL East teams and will look to keep that trend going. Toronto has lost eight of the last 10 against AL West squads.
Since the MLB All-Star Game, the only American League teams with more wins than Toronto are Houston and Cleveland.
Only two games separated the Blue Jays and Mariners in the American League teams standings during the regular season.
The favored Blue Jays carry a price of -160 to win this series according to the MLB betting odds.
Mariners vs Blue Jays Series Information
- Matchup: Mariners 90-76 (second in the AL West) Blue Jays 92-70 (second in the AL East)
- Location: Rogers Centre, Toronto
- Date/Time: Game 1 , Game 2
and if necessary Game 3 is - Streaming: Live Stream Sports
Shorthanded Mariners Hope to Advance
The Mariners will be without outfielder Jesse Winker and infielder Sam Haggerty. Seattle struggled offensively with them in the lineup so that is a concern.
There have been various ailments slowing talented rookie outfielder Julio Rodriguez late in the season. He will be at the forefront of Seattle’s postseason hopes. He is one of four Seattle players with more than 20 home runs so the Mariners will seek to get its power going in this series.
Only Miami has a lower team batting average in the second half of the season than the Mariners and that is playing a role in the Mariners vs Blue Jays betting preview viewing Seattle as the underdogs.
Blue Jays Look to Make Some Noise
Being in the same division with the New York Yankees, Tampa Bay Rays and Boston Red Sox can often lead to Toronto being overshadowed.
However, any team with Vlad Guerrero Jr. Bo Bichette, postseason hitting star George Springer and Matt Chapman is not a squad to be taken lightly. It is not a surprise that the Mariners vs Blue Jays Series Preview favors the host team.
Bichette has been one of the best hitters in baseball since the MLB All-Star break and he is part of a deep lineup.
He is one of four Blue Jays players with at least 10 home runs in the second half of the season.
The total has gone under in five of Toronto’s last seven games against Seattle.
Probable Pitching Matchups
Friday: Luis Castillo (Mariners) Alek Manoah (Blue Jays)
Who’s Hot
- Matt Brash, Mariners P: Brash has allowed one hit and no runs over 3.2 innings in his four appearances.
- Teoscar Hernandez, Blue Jays OF: Hernandez is hitting .476 with seven runs, three home runs, two doubles and five RBIs in his last five games.
- Yusei Kikuchi, Blue Jays P: Kikuchi has allowed one hit and no runs with 10 strikeouts in 6.1 innings during his last four appearances.
- Julio Rodriguez, Mariners OF: Rodriguez is hitting .455 with three runs scored over his three games.
Who’s Not
- Jose Berrios, Blue Jays P: Berrios has allowed 19 hits and 12 runs over 13.1 innings in his last three starts.
- Matt Chapman, Blue Jays 3B: Chapman is 2 for 15 with no extra-base hits in just last five games.
- George Kirby, Mariners P: Kirby has allowed 18 hits and 10 runs with seven walks over 12.1 innings in his last three outings.
- Eugenio Suarez, Mariners 3B: Suarez is 5 for 26 with 10 strikeouts in his last 10 games.
Mariners vs Blue Jays Injury Update
For Seattle, a neck injury is likely to keep outfielder Jesse Winker out for the postseason. Infielder Sam Haggerty is out for the season while outfielders Jarred Kelenic and Dylan Moore are both questionable for the series opener.
The Blue Jays are missing infielder Sergio Espinal (oblique) and outfielder Lourdes Gurriel (hamstring). Pitcher Kevin Gausman (finger) is questionable.
Mariners vs Blue Jays Head to Head
Toronto won the first two games against the Mariners and outscored Seattle 14-5 in those contests. The Mariners have taken the last five games.
Toronto won the first two games against the Mariners and outscored Seattle 14-5 in those contests. The Mariners have taken the last five games.
Each of the last two matchups were decided by one run.
A total of 17 runs were scored in the three games between the teams in Toronto back in August.
Carlos Santana and Eugenio Suarez each hit three home runs against the Blue Jays this season. George Springer and Bo Bichette each had two home runs against Seattle in 2022.
Mariners vs Blue Jays Betting Preview
This is the time of the year when George Springer is at his best. The former postseason star while in Houston; Springer will look to deliver for Toronto.
There are some young pitchers who will get their first taste of postseason pressure. Toronto’s Alek Manoah is set to start the opener so keep an eye on his he handles things. Manoah won 16 games during the regular season and had a 2.24 ERA over his last three starts.
Toronto was 79-51 when listed as the favorite while Seattle had a 32-40 record as a favorite.
With Toronto posting a 12-20 record against left-handed starters, will Seattle alter its pitching rotation?
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- Rays vs Astros Series Odds: Baseball Betting Preview
- Mets vs Braves Series Preview: NL East Crown Still Up for Grabs
- Marlins vs Brewers Series Odds: Head to Head Betting
