‘I feel sorry for him’: Phillies manager Rob Thomson on Orion Kirkeling’s walk error
Phillies manager Rob Thomson spoke to the media about Orion Kerkeling’s walk-off error that eliminated the Dodgers from the NL CS.
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The Seattle Mariners are looking to take the final step towards their first World Series appearance in franchise history, and this will be their first and first meeting in the American League Championship Series.
Standing in their way is the Toronto Blue Jays, who have not qualified for the Fall Classic since winning back-to-back titles in 1992 and 1993. They are returning to the ALCS for the first time since 2016.
And with the playoffs characterized by bullpen games and quick hooks, both teams will need to bring their representative starting rotations to the table.
The Blue Jays have added starting pitchers Max Scherzer and Chris Bassitt to the ALCS roster, with Scherzer expected to start Game 4 next to Kevin Guzman, Trey Yesavage and Shane Bieber. Bassitt, who missed the AL Division Series with back inflammation, will be available as a long man out of the bullpen.
Seattle needs to reload after an epic 15-inning game to win the ALDS against Detroit, and Bryce Miller is expected to start in Game 1.
The first two games will be played at the Rogers Center in Toronto, with Games 3 and 4 and, if necessary, Game 5 moving to T-Mobile Park in Seattle.
Where to watch Blue Jays vs. Mariners: TV channels, live streams
Sunday’s game will be broadcast on Fox and available to stream on Fubo
Watch ALCS live on Fubo
Playoff George graced the stage and the Toronto Blue Jays got off to a quick start again in Game 1 of their playoff series.
George Springer moved up to fifth place alone with his 21st home run of the postseason, hitting Bryce Miller’s first pitch into the right field seats, giving the Blue Jays a 1-0 lead over the Seattle Mariners in the ALCS opener.
The 36-year-old Springer, a four-time All-Star, has seen a resurgence in his career this year with improved health and posted a .959 OPS. His first-inning outburst, which broke a tie with Derek Jeter on the playoff home run list, was reminiscent of Vladimir Guerrero’s moonshot in the first inning of Game 1 of the AL Division Series against New York.
Blue Jays starter Kevin Gausman was forced out of a situation at first and third base in the top of the first inning when Cal Lowry grounded out to third base and was thrown out to the plate.
Cal Lowry and Julio Rodriguez singled in the top of the first inning, but third baseman Addison Berger, who was out with Jorge Polanco, grounded out and Lowry was thrown out of the at-bat trying to score. With runners on first and second base, Kevin Gausman lined out Josh Naylor to center field to end the top of the first inning.
Trey Yesavage, who will start Game 2 of the ALCS against the Seattle Mariners, began his press conference prior to the game by condemning the attacks and negative behavior toward his loved ones since his fourth no-hitter in the major leagues against the New York Yankees.
“Living in this world where there are so many different opinions and emotions and that breeds so much hatred, it’s sad to see people close to you being attacked because of their performance on the field,” Yesabezi told reporters. “Whether it’s my parents, my siblings, my girlfriend, my family, these people have done nothing to warrant denying my actions. It’s really sad.
“I know I have a platform to address this issue, so that’s what I am. I hope people can understand that those people have nothing to do with what’s going on on the field or anything else.”
“If there’s a problem, I’m a guy and I’m open to whatever opinion anyone has about me or my life. So I just wanted to get it out.” — Gabe Lux
- Randy Arozarena (R) LF
- Cal Lowry (S) C
- Julio Rodriguez (R) CF
- Jorge Polanco (S) 2B
- Josh Naylor (left) 1B
- Eugenio Suarez (r) 3b
- dominic song (l) dh
- Victor Robles(R) RF
- JP Crawford (L) SS
- George Springer (R) DH
- Nathan Lukes (left) RF
- Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (R) 1B
- Addison Berger (L) 3B
- Alejandro Kirk (R) C
- Dalton Varsho (left) CF
- Ernie Clement(R) 2B
- Anthony Santander (S) LF
- Andres Jimenez (left) SS
The Blue Jays made two changes to their roster ahead of Sunday’s Game 1. Veteran pitchers Max Scherzer and Chris Bassitt will be active against the Mariners as the playoff series moves from best-of-five to best-of-seven.
Scherzer, an eight-time All-Star (5-5 regular season, 5.19 ERA), is the likely starter for Game 4, the middle of Seattle’s three-game series. Bassitt (11-9, 3.96 ERA) last pitched on September 18th.
Scherzer and Bassitt will replace relievers Justin Brühl and Tommy Nance.
The Mariners will be able to have their best starting pitcher this season, right-hander Brian Wu, play in the ALCS. Wu (15-7, 2.94 ERA) was removed from Seattle’s roster for the ALDS after being sidelined with pectoritis during his Sept. 19 start.
The Mariners also added infielder Myles Mastrobuoni to replace outfielder Luke Lally and infielder Ben Williamson.
Mariners relief pitcher Matt Blasch, a native of Kingston, Ont., about 2 1/2 hours from Toronto, expects to see some friendly faces at the Rogers Center.
Before Game 1, the right-hander joked to reporters that he didn’t need to teach his Seattle teammates the Canadian national anthem, saying, “I think someone sang it on the bus coming here, so I think they already know it.”
Brash also shared fond memories of the 2015 Blue Jays, when the team made the playoffs for the first time since 1993.
“I’ve been a Jays fan ever since I was a kid…I remember Jose Bautista, (Edwin) Encarnacion, (Josh) Donaldson and all those players,” Brash said. “That was kind of my first memory of playoff baseball and falling in love with it.”
The Blue Jays had high hopes that shortstop Bo Bichette would be able to return from a knee sprain, but he was removed from the ALCS roster after feeling discomfort while running the bases on Saturday.
“It’s been a long three weeks, both physically and mentally, so I feel for him. He wants nothing more than to be out there,” Blue Jays manager John Schneider said before Game 1. “But he’s going to try to prepare himself and be ready. Hopefully we move forward and he checks the boxes that we need him to check.”
“Most of my family is from Everett (Wash.), about 45 minutes north (of Seattle). I’ve been an avid Mariners fan since I was a kid and went to several games,” Toronto’s Addison Berger told reporters.
“I don’t think I went to that many, but when I moved to Florida, I watched the Mariners every night as a kid.”
Seattle is one of five teams to never win the World Series and the only club in Major League Baseball to never even advance to the Fall Classic.
The Mariners were founded in 1977 and first reached the playoffs in 1995. This year will be Seattle’s fourth ALCS appearance, after losing in 1995 (Cleveland), 2000 (Yankees) and 2001 (Yankees).
The Toronto Blue Jays won the World Series in 1992 and 1993.
They won their first title in 1992 by defeating the Atlanta Braves in six games, then defeated the Philadelphia Phillies in six games, clinching the championship on Joe Carter’s walk-off home run.
What time is Game 1 between the Blue Jays and Mariners today?
Ceremonial first pitch for Game 1 of the ALCS is scheduled. 8:03pm.
