Mariners Aim for ALCS Dominance Against Blue Jays in Game 4

The Seattle Mariners lead the Toronto Blue Jays 2-1 in the American League Championship Series (ALCS) as they prepare for Game 4 on October 19, 2023. The game is set to take place at 20:33 EDT in Seattle, where the Mariners boast a strong home record of 51-30 during the regular season.

In this pivotal matchup, the Mariners will start pitcher Luis Castillo, who holds an 11-8 record with a 3.54 earned run average (ERA) and 162 strikeouts this season. He faces the Blue Jays’ Max Scherzer, who has a 5-5 record, a 5.19 ERA, and 82 strikeouts. According to BetMGM Sportsbook, the Mariners are favored at -134, while the Blue Jays sit at +113, with an over/under set at 7.5 runs.

The Mariners have demonstrated offensive prowess, leading the majors with 238 home runs this season, averaging 1.5 per game. In contrast, the Blue Jays have a collective .333 on-base percentage, the highest in the American League (AL). This matchup marks the 10th meeting between these two teams in the current season, with the Blue Jays holding a 5-4 edge in their previous encounters.

Recent Performance Insights

In their last ten games, the Mariners have struggled, posting a 5-5 record with a .214 batting average and a 4.27 ERA, while being outscored by eight runs. The Blue Jays, on the other hand, have shown significant improvement with a 7-3 record, a .301 batting average, and a 4.15 ERA, outscoring their opponents by 30 runs during this stretch.

Key players for the Mariners include Josh Naylor, who has contributed 29 doubles, one triple, and 20 home runs this season. For the Blue Jays, Jorge Polanco has been a standout, hitting 10 for 38 with a double and four home runs over the last ten games.

Injury Reports and Implications

Injuries may impact both teams as they head into Game 4. The Mariners will be without several players due to injury, including Jackson Kowar (15-Day IL, shoulder), Trent Thornton (60-Day IL, Achilles), Gregory Santos (60-Day IL, knee), and Ryan Bliss (60-Day IL, biceps). The Blue Jays face their own challenges, with Anthony Santander listed as day-to-day due to back issues, alongside multiple players on the injured list, including José Berrios (15-Day IL, elbow) and Ty France (10-Day IL, oblique).

As the Mariners aim to extend their series lead, the outcome of this game could significantly shape the remainder of the ALCS. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see if Seattle can capitalize on their home advantage or if Toronto will fight back to level the series.