Blue Jays vs Mariners: Starting Lineup - ALCS Game 3 Preview
Photo credit: John Froschauer-Imagn Images
The Toronto Blue Jays look to right the ship Game 3 of the American League Championship Series against the Seattle Mariners at T-Moblie Park on Wednesday night.
Facing a two-game deficit, the odds are stacked against the Jays, as teams that win the first two games of a best-of-seven series go on to win the series nearly 85 per cent of the time.
Of the 93 times teams have previously gone up 2-0, they've won 78 times, with that total sitting at 26 of 30 for clubs that take the first two games on the road.
However, comebacks have become something of a habit for the Jays this year, as the club notched 49 come-from-behind wins throughout the regular season the most in the MLB.
Back in April the Toronto lost a three-game series to the Mariners 2 games to 1 at Rogers Centre.
A month later the Blue Jays went on to sweep the Mariners in 3 games at T-Mobile Park.
The Blue Jays will look to Shane Bieber to save the day in Game 3 versus Mariners starter George Kirby. First pitch is at 8:08 PM ET on Sportsnet and FS1.
Toronto Blue Jays Game 3 ALCS Starting Lineup
1. LF George Springer
2. RF Nathan Lukes
3. 1B Vladimir Guerrero Jr
4. RF Anthony Santander
5. C Alejandro Kirk
6. CF Daulton Varsho
7. 3B Addison Barger
8. 2B Ernie Clement
9. SS Andres Gimenez
SP Shane Bieber
2. RF Nathan Lukes
3. 1B Vladimir Guerrero Jr
4. RF Anthony Santander
5. C Alejandro Kirk
6. CF Daulton Varsho
7. 3B Addison Barger
8. 2B Ernie Clement
9. SS Andres Gimenez
SP Shane Bieber
Starting Pitchers Overview
Shane Bieber (4-2, 3.57 ERA) was unable to provide the Blue Jays with much stability during his last outing in Game 3 of the ALDS against the Yankees, surrendering three runs (two earned) over 2.2 innings of work.
Bieber didn't have his best stuff, as evidenced by the fact that he recorded just five swings-and-misses.
Blue Jays manager John Schneider turned to his bullpen in the third inning and the relief crew was unable to hold the lead, affording the Yankees new life in the series.
Bieber made only seven starts during the regular season, but that was after an arduous rehab from Tommy John surgery, so it's understandable that he's running on fumes a bit here at the end.
Toronto desperately needs Bieber to come through with a quality appearance in Seattle after dropping the first two games of the ALCS at home, though he'll likely be on a short leash considering the club can't afford to go down 3-0 in the series.
George Kirby (10-8, 4.21 ERA) gets the ball for the Mariners tonight. In his last outing Kirby didn't factor into the decision in Game 5 of the ALDS versus Detroit, allowing one earned run on three hits while striking out six batters over five-plus innings. He did not issue a walk.
Kerry Carpenter managed two singles against Kirby, but the rest of Detroit's offense was unable to find any success against the 27-year-old righty through the first five innings.
Kirby came back out to start the sixth but was immediately pulled after giving up a leadoff double to Javier Baez, who scored on a home run from Carpenter during the ensuing at-bat.
Blue Jays slugger Anthony Santander has history against Mariners starter George Kirby
With Santander in todays lineup, the Blue Jays are hoping history repeats itself.
For what it's worth, Santander has a photographic memory. Especially when it comes to George Kirby.
Ask him to recall the first of two career homers he hit off Seattle Mariners' right-hander George Kirby and a grin flashes across Santander's face.
"It was a battle," Santander said.
Back in June 2022, when Santander was playing for the Baltimore Orioles, he faced Kirby during the right-hander's rookie season. Santander immediately went down 0-2 in the count and then engaged in an epic duel with Kirby.
He fouled off eight of the next nine pitches, with neither him nor Kirby refusing to budge. Finally, though, the switch-hitter wore out his opponent on the 12th pitch of the at-bat.
"He left me a cookie right in the middle and I hit it out," said Santander of his near 400-foot home run that left his bat at 110 m.p.h.
Santander tagged Kirby again the following season for another two-run blast and over his career is 6-for-15 (.400) against the right-hander.
He's got the most career at-bats of any Blue Jays' hitter against Kirby, and that wealth of experience may prove useful as the club faces its biggest challenge yet this season.
I like the decision to bat Santander 4th and bump Barger down.
Santander's at-bats have felt close. I still think he has a big moment soon. And damn, the #BlueJays need it.
Santander's at-bats have felt close. I still think he has a big moment soon. And damn, the #BlueJays need it.
TRENDING NOW
