(Toronto) During training camp, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. said the Toronto Blue Jays 2021 season was the trailer and the 2022 season would be the full movie.
Posted at 5:16 p.m.
Go get your popcorn. We’ll soon know if the film ends quickly in a fishtail or if it deserves a standing ovation during the credits.
“We expect to win,” Blue Jays manager John Schneider said Thursday. That’s our goal from the camp. Everyone trusts that we will be the last team to survive the playoffs. »
The Blue Jays won 92 games during the season, inheriting the fourth seed in the American League. So they have home-court advantage in a best-of-three first-round series against the Seattle Mariners.
Pitching ace Alek Manoah will be on the base for the Blue Jays Friday afternoon at Rogers Centre.
“I want to soak up all the emotions and let the adrenaline get the better of me,” Manoah said of his approach to his first career playoff start. I want to channel it all and have fun with my teammates. »
The Mariners, who have won 90 games, will look to Luis Castillo to start Game 1. Castillo was acquired from the Cincinnati Reds at the trade deadline and has since signed a long-term contract extension with the Mariners.
“Luis has the talent to handcuff any team any night,” Mariners manager Scott Servais said. And it’s not just because of her fabric. A lot of guys can throw hard and have good movement.
PHOTO JOE NICHOLSON, USA TODAY SPORTS
Seattle Mariners manager Scott Servais
“Besides that, he is very competitive. He wants to be the hero. He loves it. »
Sensation Julio Rodriguez is the most dangerous player on the offense for the Mariners, who are making the playoffs for the first time since 2001.
The Blue Jays have more depth on offense, but the Mariners likely have the advantage on the mound thanks to an effective reliever group. The Mariners have won five of the seven games between the two teams this season.
The Jays are back in the playoffs for the first time since being swept by the Tampa Bay Rays in the series for the fourth ace in 2020. The Rogers Center will host its first playoff games since the All-American Championship Series in 2016.
We feel the enthusiasm in the locker room.
Ross Atkins, Blue Jays General Manager
The second match will be presented on Saturday, then the third on Sunday, if necessary.
The winner of the series will then meet the Houston Astros in a series of best-of-five sections.
Robbie Ray, who won the Cy-Young with the Blue Jays last year, is expected to start for the Mariners in Game 2. Logan Gilbert should then get the start if a third meeting is needed.
The Blue Jays have yet to reveal their plans for the second and third meetings.
Kevin Gausman left his last regular season start after just three innings with a cut in the middle finger of the hand he uses to throw. He must participate in a session in the enclosure on Friday.
“He’s fine,” Atkins insisted. We don’t expect him to be limited by that. We are encouraged by his progress. »
Gausman, Ross Stripling and Jose Berrios are all candidates to get a start with the Jays.
The Blue Jays went 22-11 as of 1er september. The Mariners went 18-14 over the same span.
“I think we’re playing our best baseball of the season,” Manoah said. The timing couldn’t be better. »