The 2022 Wild Card Rematch: The Mariners and the Blue Jays

Colorado Rockies v Seattle Mariners
Colorado Rockies v Seattle Mariners | Alika Jenner/GettyImages

This evening, Saturday, and Sunday will be the first time the Mariners play the Blue Jays since the 2022 Wild Card games. Luckily the Rogers Centre has a roof as rain is forecast for today and the weekend. The Blue Jays have won 16 games and lost 8 this season and are four games behind the American East leaders, the Tampa Bay Rays. The Mariners’ record is now 11 wins and 14 losses.

These are the series the Blue Jays have played to date.

Opponent

W/L

Home/Away

Reds

1 Win / 2 Losses

Away

Royals

3 Wins / 1 Loss

Away

Angels

2 Wins / 1 Loss

Away

Detroit

2 Wins / 1 Loss

Home

Rays

2 Wins/ 1 Loss

Home

Astros

1 Win / 2 Losses

Away

Yankees

2 Wins / 1 Loss

Away

White Sox

3 Wins / 0 Losses

Home

The first game will be a matchup between Luis Castillo and Alek Manoah. Chris Flexen will start on Saturday and Marco Gonzales will take the mound Sunday. The Blue Jays have not made public who will start on the weekend.

The Blue Jays’ starting pitchers include RHP Kevin Gausman (2.84 ERA); LHP Yusei Kikuchi (3.00 ERA); Jose Berrios (4.71 ERA); Chris Bassit (4.82 ERA); and Alek Manoah  (5.13 ERA). Former Mariner Erik Swanson is in the bullpen, and it will be fun to see Kikuchi if he starts.

Likely Blue Jay Lineup

Matt Chapman (3B) .364 BA

Bo Bichette (SS) .340

Vladimir Guerrero (1B) .333

Whit Merrifield (LF) ,313

Kevin Kiermaier (CF) .299

Alejandro Kirk (C) .226

George Springer (RF) .216 may have a hand injury

Daulton Varsho (LF) .198

Brandon Belt (DH) .189

Santiago Espinal (2B) .198

Toronto is a team like Philadelphia that has strong bats, so the Mariners are going to need to hit well. Overall, the Mariners’ pitching has greater depth than the Blue Jays, so they will help lessen the runs. The difference between winning and losing, however, will likely come down to how many runs the Mariners can score.

Go Mariners!

Schedule