Logan Gilbert stands to become a Mariners icon in short-rest start for ALCS Game 2

As the Seattle Mariners continue their magical run through the 2025 postseason, there are a number of players who are seeing their reputations grow and prosper. And right there near the top of the list of those seemingly destined to forever leave their mark etched in franchise lore is Logan Gilbert.

Gilbert's standing within the organization was already evident, given Dan Wilson's decision to give him the first road start of the Mariners' AL Division Series versus the Detroit Tigers. Initially predicted by many to get the nod in Game 1, it spoke volumes that it was the righty who Wilson and company had most confidence in to go into a hostile environment and deliver.

And deliver Gilbert did, as he allowed just four hits and one earned run over 6.0 sublime innings in Detroit, helping set the stage for the Mariners to win 8-4. If possible however, this in some ways only turned out to be the warmup act for what the 28-year-old would do in the winner-takes-all Game 5 on Friday evening.

Logan Gilbert echos Randy Johnson's own Game 5 performance

With the Mariners' season on the line, it was all hands on deck with everyone offering to play — including Gilbert, despite only being on two days' rest. And in a scenario eerily reminiscent to Randy Johnson 30 years earlier against the New York Yankees in another ALDS Game 5, he pitched two-plus innings of shutout ball to help the M's overcome the Tigers 3-2 in 15 innings.

No one ever doubted how mentally resilient and physically tough Gilbert was, but to see him elicit memories of what Johnson did three decades ago was spine-chilling and remarkable. Now, it's all set up for the 2024 All-Star to potentially surpass what the Hall of Famer achieved back in 1995, as he is set to take the ball in Game 2 of the American League Championship Series in Toronto against the Blue Jays:

We can certainly appreciate there will be some people out there who are a bit unsure about this decision, to hand the ball to Gilbert on Monday afternoon. It's one thing to have him pitch in relief on just two days' rest, but to have him start on just another two days' rest is asking for a lot from the 2018 14th overall draft pick.

However, you have to ask yourself if the Mariners would really be doing this at such a critical stage of the season, if they didn't think Gilbert could handle it. In addition, as selfless as he's already proven to be, you know he's the type of personality who would be honest and tell the team if it was too soon for him to go again no matter how much he always wants the ball.

Again, this alludes to the Mariners having the utmost confidence in Gilbert being able to handle pitching on the road in the playoffs. Not that there won't be at least some concern, just by virtue of him facing a Blue Jays team which finished second in the AL this season in runs scored and battered the Yankees into submission during the previous round.

Logan Gilbert is the very epitome of the Mariners' resilience

However, to doubt Gilbert in any way would be foolhardy after everything he's been through. He might not have been the staff ace this season, but at the heart of it all he's still that same pitcher who took over the mantle of Opening Day starter from Luis Castillo.

Some people may contend Gilbert wasn't as good in 2025 as years past, especially compared to last season. However, to do so is disingenuous on some levels given the right elbow flexor strain which sent him to the Injured List for the first time in his career and cost him roughly seven starts this year.

In fact it's this same injury issue which make Gilbert's overall performances even more impressive in 2025. Despite being compromised, his 3.35 FIP and 1.031 WHIP were still both the second-best of his five years in the majors, while his 32.3 percent strikeout rate was the highest of his career (and quite convincingly so).

At the end of the day, even allowing for Bryan Woo's spectacular season and George Kirby's overall stuff, you can make the case that no one is built better to pitch on short rest on the road in a volatile atmosphere. Gilbert is already on a path which promises him so much in these playoffs and pending how Game 2 goes, he stands to become an icon for the Mariners and potentially further afield.