The Toronto Blue Jays (16-9) face a tough test against Luis Castillo at Rogers Centre on Friday when the impressive right-hander takes the mound for the Seattle Mariners (11-14) to open a three-game series.
The Mariners are in the midst of a nine-game road trip. They won only one out of three in their last series against the Phillies, dropping the finale 1-0 on Thursday at Citizens Bank Park. Tom Murphy was 2 for 3 with a double. Tommy La Stella went 1 for 1.
The Blue Jays are in the midst of a six-game homestand. They are coming off a three-game sweep of the White Sox, taking the finale 8-0 on Wednesday at Rogers Centre for their fourth straight win. Bo Bichette went 3 for 4 with a home run, two runs, and three RBIs.
Santiago Espinal also went 3 for 4 with two runs and one RBI. The teams are meeting for the first time since 2022 American League Wild Card, which the Mariners won in two games.
In the regular season, the Mariners won five of the seven games between the teams, including a sweep in their most recent meeting, a two-game set at Rogers Centre in October.
ON THE MOUND
Castillo (2-0, 1.52 ERA) is set to get the start for Seattle. The righty ranks fourth in the AL in ERA. Castillo allowed three runs over five innings in his last start, a 5-4 road win over the Cardinals on Saturday.
He scattered seven hits while striking out eight and walking two in the no-decision. Castillo made one start against the Blue Jays in 2022, a 2-1 road loss for the Reds on May 20. He surrendered two runs on seven hits over six innings, striking out five.
For Toronto, right-hander Alek Manoah (1-1, 5.13 ERA) takes the mound. Manoah made one start against the Mariners in 2022, throwing 7.1 innings in a 2-1 road defeat on July 9. He gave up three hits and walked four, while striking out seven in the loss.
In his last start on Saturday, Manoah took a no-decision on the road against the Yankees. He threw seven scoreless innings and gave up two hits, striking out five and walking one in the 3-2 defeat.
AT THE PLATE
The Seattle offense is averaging 4.3 runs per game for the season, with a slash line of .227/.301/.387. Jarred Kelenic leads the team in OPS at 1.065. The right fielder is slashing .325/.376/.688 with seven home runs, 14 RBIs, and 11 runs over 23 games.
Against right-handed pitchers like Manoah this season, the M’s have a .700 OPS. Kelenic also is the team’s strongest hitter against right-handers with a .992 OPS in 58 at-bats.
Toronto is slashing .261/.338/.415 for the season and averaging 4.8 runs per game. Matt Chapman leads the team with a 1.105 OPS. The shortstop has five home runs, 18 RBIs, and 16 runs scored with a slash line of .364/.446/.659.
The Jays have a .766 OPS against right-handers in 2023. With a .992 OPS over 62 at-bats, Chapman also has been their best hitter against right-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Seattle is 4-5 away from T-Mobile Park in 2023, scoring 4.4 runs per game while allowing 4.6 runs. Toronto has won three in a row at Rogers Centre.
The Jays are 7-2 at home this season, averaging 5.1 runs per game while surrendering 2.7. In the last 10 games at Rogers Centre between the teams, Seattle is 6-4 with an average scoreline of 4.6-3.7.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Mariners are fourth in the AL West, three games behind the division-leading Rangers. The Blue Jays are third in the AL East, four games behind the Rays.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
Toronto Blue Jays (-110)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
