In a thrilling matchup on Wednesday night, Seattle’s Julio Rodríguez launched a two-run home run off Toronto’s Shane Bieber in the first inning, propelling the Mariners to an early 2-0 advantage against the Blue Jays in Game 3 of the American League Championship Series (ALCS). The power display comes as part of a postseason where Seattle has outscored Toronto 13-4 over the first two games.
Seattle’s starting pitcher, George Kirby, showcased his talent by striking out two Blue Jays batters, Nathan Lukes and Anthony Santander, in a strong first inning. He maneuvered through a moment of challenge when a throwing error from third baseman Eugenio Suárez allowed Toronto’s star player Vladimir Guerrero Jr. to reach second base.
Bieber, tasked with the starting role for Toronto, came into the game seeking to contain a Seattle lineup that has been prolific in scoring runs via home runs thus far in the playoffs. Blue Jays manager John Schneider expressed confidence in Bieber’s ability to execute pitches effectively, which he believes is essential in handling the potent Seattle offense.
“He’s at his best when he’s got all of his pitches where he wants to put them,” Schneider noted. The manager acknowledged that preventing further home-run damage is crucial, emphasizing the need for pitchers to place their deliveries judiciously, especially against hitters known for long balls.
Anthony Santander was back in the Blue Jays lineup for Game 3 after missing Game 2 due to back tightness. With a batting average of 3 for 13 in the postseason, he aims to provide a boost to a Toronto offense that has struggled in the first two games of the series.
The Blue Jays’ batting lineup has been a point of concern, with only George Springer managing to leave the yard with a solo home run in Game 1. Despite Nate Lukes’ notable effort with three hits and an RBI in Game 2, the team has found itself lacking firepower, illustrated by the 3-1 and 10-3 defeats they suffered in the preceding games.
Historically, Toronto and Seattle faced off in the postseason last year, with the Mariners sweeping the Blue Jays in a best-of-three wildcard round. The current situation places pressure on Toronto, who must secure wins to avoid elimination in upcoming games.
If the Blue Jays push through, they will contend against the winner of the National League Championship Series (NLCS), which sees the Los Angeles Dodgers holding a commanding 2-0 lead over the Milwaukee Brewers. Both of these teams present a challenging path ahead, with the Brewers boasting the most successful season in franchise history and the Dodgers being recent World Series champions.
With Seattle aiming for a 3-0 lead that would put them in a strong position for the series, the stakes are high, but both teams remain determined to compete fiercely in hope of advancing to the Fall Classic.