The Seattle Mariners emerged victorious in a dramatic 3-2 15-inning Game 5 against the Detroit Tigers, securing their spot against the Toronto Blue Jays in the upcoming American League Championship Series. This epic showdown marked the longest winner-take-all game in MLB postseason history.
Jorge Polanco’s clutch single off Tommy Kahnle with a full count scored J.P. Crawford, breaking the tie that had lasted since the seventh inning. The ALCS will commence with Game 1 scheduled in Toronto on Sunday at 8:03 p.m. ET. Game 2 will follow in Toronto on Monday before the series shifts to Seattle on Wednesday.
The upcoming series pits the top two seeds in the American League against each other. Toronto clinched the AL East title with a league-leading 94-68 record, while Seattle’s late surge propelled them to the top spot in the AL West at 90-72. Both teams enjoyed byes in the Wild Card round.
Toronto dominated the head-to-head matchups this season, boasting a 4-2 record against the Mariners, including a historic sweep in Seattle back in May. However, the Mariners managed to take two out of three games during their series at Rogers Centre.
Both teams entered the league in 1977, with the Blue Jays making a quicker impact by reaching the ALCS in 1985 and claiming consecutive World Series titles in 1992 and 1993. In contrast, the Mariners didn’t see postseason action until 1995 when MLB introduced the Division Series round.
While the Blue Jays have a strong postseason history, the Mariners are still pursuing their first World Series appearance, with their last ALCS appearance dating back to 2001. Seattle holds the recent bragging rights after sweeping the Jays in a Wild Card Series in 2022.
In the current playoffs, Toronto secured a 3-1 series win over New York in the ALDS, showcasing stellar pitching performances and offensive prowess. Star players like Kevin Gausman and Trey Yesavage shone on the mound, supported by Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s impressive batting average and RBIs.
As the ALCS approaches, the Blue Jays anticipate the return of key players like shortstop Bo Bichette from injury. The Mariners boast a formidable offensive threat in catcher Cal Raleigh, who led the league in home runs and RBIs.
Fan attendance may be influenced by ticket pricing and potential restrictions on out-of-region sales. The Blue Jays have traditionally enjoyed strong support from fans in British Columbia during their visits to Seattle, but playoff dynamics could shift the home-field advantage in favor of the Mariners.