Via Pedro Moura
FOX Sports MLB Writer
The Seattle Mariners used a fierce first inning to win their first game of the season in 21 years at Toronto. They are the best Blue jay 4-0 in game 1 of the American League Wild Card Series at the Rogers Center.
Three of them came early, because Eugenio Suárez double in rookie feeling Julio Rodríguez on the 10th field of the game, and Cal Raleigh followed by launching homer twice. That was enough of a violation, and then Suárez made it again in the fifth inning.
Raleigh, of course, take the Mariners to the knockouts with a run home exactly a week before. The power catcher kept his momentum, and so did his team.
What happened to the Mariners
It wasn’t exactly an offensive breakout. More than their celebrities, what helped Seattle open the series was a stellar performance from a mid-season acquisition. Luis Castillo. Castillo has come close to better than great since his August 3rd Mariners debut, but he’s way beyond great Friday.
Pumping his stuff up to 100 mph, Castillo unleashes 72% hits and fails to go Blue Jay. That efficiency allowed him to last 7⅓ innings, the longest start time in franchise history.
Manager Scott Servais is poised to return to his cowshed at a few points, but he only needs one: for the young right-hander Andrés Munozwho handled the last five matches with audacity.
What happened to Blue Jays
Toronto created just three chances to beat a runner-up in scoring – and none of them converted. It was a strong and patient attack throughout the second half, but it wasn’t in the opener after the season. The Blue Jays don’t work a single time, which allows the Mariners to use only their two power throws the most and save the rest of their racquet for Games 2 and (probably) 3.
Farther away, the one on the right Alek Manoah not his usual spectacular self. He couldn’t finish six innings, and he couldn’t beat the Seattle leaders when he needed to do so.
The key moment of the game
Raleigh battled Manoah with a tense 3-2, then dived into a false throw in two runs to the Mariners’ vital breathing room supplier. The pitch is a 95 mph submersible, with action needed but poorly positioned, above and between the discs.
What Raleigh did with it, though, was surprising.
Manoah has thrown 762 players into the regular season. Only once can a hitter hit one to run home. Manoah faced 90 goals 3-2 in the regular season. From all of that, the reps only made 7 times and the goers only got 2.
Raleigh playing at home increased Seattle’s probability of winning by more than 14%. Before the Blue Jays beat, their win rate dropped below 1/4. They barely raise that past then.
What to watch in Game 2
Blue Jays will switch Kevin Gausman to save their season. They opted to sign Gausman for the final season instead of pursuing a new contract with their 2021 winner Cy Young, Robbie Ray.
Of course, the Mariners will start Ray after Canada adjusts travel requirements to allow unvaccinated travelers in time for the series. The match once again offers two elite pitchers, although Seattle’s painkiller will be significantly more refreshing.
Health of the leading attacking player Blue Jays George Springer also secured supervision, after Castillo’s final throw on Friday left him with a wrist injury. Springer is one of the few Jays to sign up for a good offensive day, and he’s been hailed as a stellar post-season performer for years.
Pedro Moura is the national baseball writer for FOX Sports. He previously covered the Dodgers for The Athletic, Angels and Dodgers for the Orange County Register and LA Times, and his alma mater, USC, for ESPN Los Angeles. He is the author of “How to Beat a Broken Game.” Follow him on Twitter @pedromoura.
Get more out of Major League Baseball Follow your favorites to get game info, news and more
