Sports
Blue Jays and Mariners Clash in Historic ALCS Showdown

CIUDAD DE MÉXICO, México — The Toronto Blue Jays face off against the Seattle Mariners in Game 1 of the American League Championship Series (ALCS) on Sunday at Rogers Centre in Toronto. This matchup is significant as both teams aim to make history, with the Blue Jays last reaching this stage in 2016 and the Mariners competing in their first ALCS since 2001.
The Blue Jays have a rich history, having not won a World Series since 1993. Meanwhile, the Mariners, who entered the MLB alongside Toronto as expansion teams in 1977, are still seeking their first World Series appearance. Interestingly, this is the first time both franchises have met in an ALCS.
In the 2022 Wild Card Series, the Mariners staged an incredible comeback against the Blue Jays, overcoming an 8-1 deficit to advance at Toronto’s expense. Key players from that game, including Cal Raleigh and Julio Rodríguez, are back at the forefront this postseason.
This season, the Blue Jays finished with a better record, 94 wins to Seattle’s 90, and won their season series 4-2, clinching home-field advantage for the ALCS. The Mariners arrive energized from a dramatic 3-2 victory over the Detroit Tigers in 15 innings in the Division Series but have limited rest and a fatigued bullpen.
As the top seed in the American League, Toronto had a more straightforward path, defeating the New York Yankees 3-1 in their Division Series, allowing their pitchers to rest and recharge. Game 1 features starters Bryce Miller for Seattle and Kevin Gausman for Toronto. Miller, only 24, pitches on short rest after throwing 4.1 innings in the previous series. Gausman, a seasoned veteran, enters with full rest and an impressive 3.59 ERA over 193 innings this season.
The Blue Jays’ offense has been among the strongest in the league, scoring 34 runs over four games in the Division Series. Players like Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Alejandro Kirk have shined, with Kirk excelling despite losing star shortstop Bo Bichette to injury. Kirk’s presence behind the plate and at-bat is vital for Toronto.
Seattle relies heavily on Cal Raleigh, who is coming off a record-breaking season with 60 home runs, a milestone for catchers. However, the rest of the Mariners’ batters struggled in the Division Series, needing to step up if they hope to match Toronto’s firepower.
This series also has a unique storyline as two prominent Mexican players, Alejandro Kirk and Andrés Muñoz, compete against each other, while Randy Arozarena, a naturalized Mexican, adds to the representation. All three athletes have had standout seasons and are pivotal to their teams’ performances.
With their impressive stats this season and past achievements, both Kirk and Muñoz could play vital roles this ALCS. Kirk aims for continued success after becoming the first Mexican player to hit multiple home runs in a postseason game, while Muñoz has blossomed into one of the league’s premier closers.
As the Blue Jays and Mariners meet in this unprecedented ALCS matchup, the outcome could shape the future narratives of the franchises and their talented players.