The Seattle Mariners have set their rotation for the foreseeable future.
On Monday afternoon, The Seattle Times’ Adam Jude reported the Mariners’ starters for Games 3, 4, and 5 have been set. In Game 3, George Kirby will start, with Luis Castillo starting Game 4 and Bryan Woo potentially starting Game 5.
The Blue Jays haven’t faced Kirby this season. In his three starts against the team from Canada, Kirby has a 6.28 ERA in 14.1 innings pitched. On the other hand, Castillo has made two starts against the Jays this season, giving up three earned runs in five innings in his start in Toronto, where the Jays were a whopping 5-21 with runners in scoring position. Castillo’s other start saw him go five innings with five earned runs allowed.
Like Kirby, Castillo has struggled in his career against the Blue Jays, at least in the regular season, as he has a 4.68 ERA in 32.2 innings pitched over six games. Like Miller, who had a tough start against the Jays in the regular season, it doesn’t matter all that much in the playoffs. In Game 2 of the 2022 American League Wild Card Series, Castillo went seven and one-third innings with five strikeouts.
As for Woo, he’s described as the tentative Game 5 start for two reasons. The first is that Game 2 is still considered “as necessary” as the Mariners still have the possibility of a sweep. Moreover, Woo is returning from injury, as he hasn’t pitched since mid-September. His bullpen session on Monday went well, so it seems probable he’ll make the start if need be.
As for the Blue Jays, Trey Yesavage starts for them on Monday, while Shane Bieber will get the ball on Wednesday. Thursday’s Game 4 starter is yet to be determined, but there’s a strong possibility that Max Scherzer plays a key role in that game.
