During training camp, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. said that the Toronto Blue Jays 2021 season was the trailer and the 2022 season would be the full movie. Go get your popcorn: we’ll soon find out if the movie fizzles out or deserves a standing ovation.
“We expect to win,” Blue Jays manager John Schneider said Thursday. That’s our goal from the camp. Everyone is hopeful that we will be the last team to survive the playoffs. »
The Blue Jays won 92 games during the season, making them 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 mound for the Blue Jays Friday afternoon at Rogers Centre. “I want to soak up all the emotions and let the adrenaline run through me,” he 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 he 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. Besides that, he is very competitive. He wants to be the hero. He loves it. »
Sensation Julio Rodriguez is the most dangerous player on 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 seven games between the two teams this season.
On a roll
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. “You can feel the excitement in the locker room,” said general manager Ross Atkins.
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 best-of-five sectional series.
Robbie Ray, who won the Cy-Young Trophy with the Blue Jays last year, is expected to start 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 said. 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 from 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. »