MLBALCS

Blue Jays vs. Mariners ALCS Game 3 Preview

8 months agoUS
Blue Jays vs. Mariners ALCS Game 3 PreviewSource: mlb.com
The Seattle Mariners host the Toronto Blue Jays for Game 3 of the ALCS at T-Mobile Park. With a 2-0 series lead, the Mariners are two wins away from their first World Series appearance since 2001. The Blue Jays, facing a must-win situation, aim to turn the series around on the road.

Key Insights

The Mariners hold a 2-0 series lead, returning to Seattle with a chance to take a commanding 3-0 advantage.

Shane Bieber starts for the Blue Jays, seeking to secure Toronto’s first win.

George Kirby pitches for the Mariners, making his ALCS debut.

Key injuries include Bo Bichette (Blue Jays), who is still recovering from a knee sprain.

The Mariners are historically strong at home, posting a 38-22 record at T-Mobile Park since the Trade Deadline.

Why this matters: A Mariners win puts them on the brink of the World Series, while a Blue Jays loss would require an improbable comeback from a 3-0 deficit.

In-Depth Analysis

Game Overview

The Mariners and Blue Jays face off in a pivotal Game 3 of the ALCS. Seattle has the upper hand after winning the first two games in Toronto. Now, returning to their home field, T-Mobile Park, the Mariners look to extend their lead. The Blue Jays, on the other hand, need a strong performance to avoid falling into a near-insurmountable 3-0 hole.

Pitching Matchup

Blue Jays:: Shane Bieber (4-2, 3.57 ERA) aims to rebound after a shaky ALDS start against the Yankees. His performance is crucial for the Blue Jays to shift the series momentum.

Mariners:: George Kirby (0-0, 2.70 ERA in the playoffs) makes his ALCS debut, looking to replicate his strong outings from the ALDS against the Tigers.

Starting Lineups

Blue Jays:

George Springer, DH

Nathan Lukes, LF

Vladimir Guerrero Jr., 1B

Anthony Santander, RF

Alejandro Kirk, C

Daulton Varsho, CF

Addison Barger, 3B

Ernie Clement, 2B

Andrés Giménez, SS

Mariners:

Randy Arozarena, LF

Cal Raleigh, C

Julio Rodríguez, CF

Jorge Polanco, 2B

Josh Naylor, 1B

Eugenio Suárez, 3B

Dominic Canzone, DH

Victor Robles, RF

J.P. Crawford, SS

Historical Context

Teams with a 2-0 lead in a best-of-seven series have historically won 83.9% of the time. For the Blue Jays to come back, they’ll need to defy these odds.

FAQs

Q: What time is the game and how can I watch it?

The game is scheduled for 8:08 p.m. ET (5:08 p.m. PT) on Wednesday and can be seen on FS1 in the United States. Canadian viewers can tune in via Sportsnet and Sportsnet+.

Q: What are the injury concerns for both teams?

Bo Bichette is out for the Blue Jays, while Bryan Woo is tentatively scheduled to pitch Game 5 for the Mariners.

Q: What is the historical precedent for a team coming back from a 2-0 deficit?

Teams trailing 2-0 have come back to win a best-of-seven series approximately 16.1% of the time.

Key Takeaways

The Mariners are in a strong position to advance to the World Series.

The Blue Jays need a strong performance from Shane Bieber to stay in the series.

Key players to watch include Jorge Polanco (Mariners) and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (Blue Jays).

The Mariners’ home-field advantage could play a significant role in the outcome.

Discussion

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