ALCS GAME 2 - Seattle Mariners (2-0) @ Toronto Blue Jays (0-2) - Game recap

 

Nathan Lukes drove in 2 runs and scored once in a 10-3 loss to the Mariners. He was only credited with one RBI due to a throwing error by Mariners 1B Josh Naylor on the first ron of the day.

After dropping the opener of the ALCS due to the bullpen blowing the save and the inept offence mustering two hits, one being a leadoff HR, the Blue Jays were looking to even the series. Trey Yesavage got the start with Alejandro Kirk behind the plate. Anthony Santander was a late scratch with back tightness and Davis Schneider took his place in LF. Could the Blue Jays even the series? Here is today's game recap.

Game Highlights:

• The Mariners opened the scoring in the top of the 1st as Julio Rodriguez belted a 3-run jack to the second deck in left; also scoring Randy Arozarena and Cal Raleigh 
• The Blue Jays got one back in the bottom half of the inning as Nathan Lukes singled scoring George Springer
• Three batters later,  Alejandro Kirk singled home Lukes 
• The Blue Jays tied it in the bottom of the 2nd as Lukes singled scoring Springer 
• Logan Gilbert pitching line: 3IP 5H 3R (2 earned) 1BB 2K 58 pitches (39 for strikes)
• The Mariners took the lead in the top of the 5th as Jorge Polanco hammered a 3-run bomb to dead center; also scoring Arozarena and Raleigh
• Trey Yesavage pitching line: 4IP 4H 5R (all earned) 3BB 4K 70 pitches (43 for strikes)
• The Mariners added a run in the top of the 6th as JP Crawford singled Leo Rivas
• The Mariners added a pair of runs in the top of the 7th as Josh Naylor smashed a 2-run blast to right; also scoring Polanco
• The Mariners added a run in the top of the 7th on a sac fly by Crawford that scored Eugenio Suarez 
• Final score: Mariners 10 Blue Jays 2

My Take:

• Trey Yesavage battled through 4 innings, giving up 5 runs on 4 hits while walking 3 and striking out 4. He had a tough start to the game, falling behind by three before recording an out after hitting the first batter he faced, pitching around Cal Raleigh and giving up a no-doubter to Julio Rodriguez. He did retire 6 in a row at one point. Same situation happened as last night where the Mariners took the lead immediately after Yesavage left the game. Unfortunate since it tacked two more runs onto Yesavage's pitching line
• The bullpen gave up a further 5 runs (technically 7 if you count the two charged to starter Trey Yesavage on the 3-run HR given up by Louis Varland, who was the first reliever out of the bullpen tonight. Chris Bassitt was the only reliever to retire every batter he faced. If the Blue Jays are eliminated in a sweep, very plausible with how the series is going, Pete Walker should be the scapegoat. It is very troubling that the pitchers continue to give up home runs. The pitching is the weak link this year. It's hard to come back in the playoffs and a 7-run deficit is virtually insurmountable.
• Offensively, the bats have gone cold at the worst possible time. Nathan Lukes drove in 2 of the 3 runs. Alejandro Kirk drove in Lukes for the other run,
• Time to swich up the lineup. Bring Myles Straw in at the very least.
• The Blue Jays were 3-10 with runners in scoring position
• Up next, the Blue Jays try to snap a 2-game skid as they face a daunting task where they must win 4 of the next 5 games and at least 2 of 3 in Seattle. Shane Bieber starts against Mariners righty George Kirby

ALCS #2 Seattle Mariners (1-0) v. Toronto Blue Jays (0-1)

 

ALCS GAME 1 - Seattle Mariners (1-0) @ Toronto Blue Jays (0-1) - Game recap

 

George Springer hit a leadoff HR in a losing effort as the Marineras came from behind to defeat the Blue Jays 3-1

After a hard-fought ALDS triumph over the Yankees, the Blue Jays opened the ALCS against expansion cousins the Seattle Mariners. The Blue Jays won the seaon series against the Mariners, outscoring the Mariners 31-24. Chris Bassitt and Max Scherzer were added to the ALCS roster and Justin Bruihl and Tommy Nance were dropped. Bo Bichette was also left off the roster. Kevin Gausman got the start with Alejandro Kirk behind the plate. Anthony Santander was in LF, Daulton Varsho was in CF and Nathan Lukes was in RF. Addison Barger was at the hot corner, Andres Gimenez was at SS, Ernie Clement was at 2B and of course Vlad got the nod at 1B. Could the Blue Jays open the ALCS with a win? Here is tonight's game recap.

Game Highlights:

• The Blue jays opened the scoring in the bottom of the 1st as George Springer led off with a solo blast to the second deck of the opposite field in right
• Nathan Lukes left the game prior to the 4th inning after fouling a ball off his right knee
• The Mariners tied it in the top of the 7th as Cal Raleigh belted a solo jack to right-center
• Two batters later, Jorge Polanco singled scoring Juliu Rodriguez
• Kevin Gausman pitching line: 5.2IP 3H 2R (both earned) 1BB 5K 76 pitches (48 for strikes)
• Bryce Miller pitching line: 6IP 2H 1R (earned) 3BB 3K 76 pitches (52 for strikes)
• The Mariners added a run in the top of the 8th as Jorge Polanco singled scoring Randy Arozarena
• Andres Munoz pitched a perfect 9th for his 2nd save of the postseason
• Final score: Mariners 3 Blue Jays 1

My Take:

• Kevin Gausman fired 5.2 innings, giving up a pair of runs on 3 his while walking 1 and striking out 5. It's unfortunate how the 6th inning played out with Gausman a strike away from a perfect inning and a solid pitch count still in the 60s. He retired 16 in a row before Cal Raleigh (who else?) took him deep.
• The bullpen surrendered 2 runs  (one charged to Gausman) on 4 hits while walking 2 and striking out 6 over the last 3.1 innings. Mason Fluharty retired every batter he faced. Louis Varland, Brandon Little and Seranthony Dominiguez scare me. Dominguez has a tendency to walk batters, Litlle struggles against righties and Varland hasn't really been himself since joining the Blue Jays 
• Offensively, George Springer hit a leadoff home run and that was about it. Vlad's magic from the ALDS didn't materialize tonight - he was 0-4 at the plate. The Blue Jays need tto show more discipline at the plate. The three Mariners relievers needed just 24 pitches to get the last 9 outs
• The Blue Jays were 0-4 with runners in scoring position. 
• Up next,  the Blue Jays try to even the series. Trey Yesavage starts for the Blue Jays. The Mariners have not named a starter for game 2 yet. They needed to use 3 starting pitchers in the 15 inning marathon yesterday and Bryan Woo is just coming off the injured list and may not be at his best.

ALCS #1 Seattle Mariners (0-0) v. Toronto Blue Jays (0-0)

 

Saturday Night Spanish Guitar aka WTFJITH aka The Calm before the Storm aka Game #5 Chicago Cubs (2-2) v. Milwaukee Brewers (2-2)