The Toronto Blue Jays (92-71) host the Seattle Mariners (91-72) at Rogers Centre on Saturday in Game 2 with the visitors looking to sweep their American League Wild Card series. The Mariners took Friday’s series opener 4-0, their fourth straight victory overall and sixth in a row head-to-head, including six of eight games against the Blue Jays this season. Luis Castillo threw 7.1 scoreless innings for the win. Eugenio Suarez was 2 for 4 with a double, one run, and two RBIs in the win. George Springer went 2 for 3 for the Blue Jays.
ON THE MOUND
Robbie Ray (12-12, 3.71 ERA) is slated for the start for Seattle. The lefty ranks fourth in the AL in strikeouts (212). Ray allowed six runs (five earned) over 5.2 innings in his last start, a 10-3 home defeat against the Athletics on Sunday. He was charged with the loss, yielding eight hits while striking out three and walking three. Ray has made one previous start against the Blue Jays this season, a 2-1 home victory on July 9. He surrendered one run on three hits over six innings, striking out six and walking two. For Toronto, righty Kevin Gausman (12-10, 3.35 ERA) gets the start. He has made one prior start against the Mariners this season, giving up two runs over five innings in a 5-1 home defeat on May 18. He gave up seven hits and walked one, while striking out three in the loss. In his last start on Sunday, Gausman took a no-decision at home against the Red Sox. He threw three innings and gave up two runs on four hits, striking out four, in the 6-3 win. The RHP ranks fifth in the AL in strikeouts (205).
AT THE PLATE
Over the last five games, Seattle has averaged 5.6 runs a game, up from their season average of 4.3, while slashing better across the board (.277/.335/.434). Against righties like Gausman this season, the M’s have a .702 OPS. Julio Rodriguez is the team’s most productive hitter against right-handers with a .860 OPS in 391 at-bats. Toronto is averaging only 4.0 runs per game in the last five, down slightly from 4.8 for the season. The Jays have a .753 OPS against southpaws in 2022. With a .826 OPS over 113 at-bats, Santiago Espinal has been their best hitter against left-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Seattle is 45-37 away from T-Mobile Park in 2022, scoring 4.6 runs per game while allowing 4.0 runs. Toronto has gone 47-35 in front of their home fans this season, averaging 4.4 runs per game while surrendering 4.4. Seattle is 6-4 in the last 10 games between the teams at Rogers Centre with an average scoreline of 4.1-2.8.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Mariners finished second in the AL West. The Blue Jays were second in the AL East.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
Toronto Blue Jays (-160)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
