The American League Championship Series gets underway on Sunday night as an outstanding MLB postseason rolls on. The Mariners advanced with a dramatic Game 5 win on Friday night, but used most of their pitching staff to get through the 15-inning victory. They earned a trip to face the well-rested Blue Jays who got past the Yankees in the ALDS in four games. These were the top two seeds in the American League, and it should be a great matchup that stats on Sunday night just after 8:00 p.m. ET.
The two teams played two three-games series this season, but they were both early in the season. The Blue Jays won one of the three games in Seattle in April and then swept the three-game series in Toronto back in May.
DraftKings Sportsbook has all your betting needs covered for Game 1. There are literally hundreds of prop bets available, so let’s zero in on a few of my favorite options for another great matchup in Game 1.
Mariners vs. Blue Jays Prop Bets for Game 1
Bryce Miller over 2.5 earned runs allowed (+132)
Miller will get the call for the Mariners, who used Logan Gilbert, Luis Castillo, and starter George Kirby all in Game 5. They added another starter inBryan Woo (pectoral) to their roster for the ALDS, but he’s not expected to be available until later in the series. With so many options unavailable, Miller may have to take one for the team and eat as many innings as possible in Game 1.
Miller gave up two runs in 4 ⅓ innings in his start against the Tigers in the ALDS, but before that, he gave up over 2.5 earned runs in four straight starts and 10 of his previous 12. He went 4-6 in his 18 regular-season starts with a 5.68 ERA and 5.17 FIP. He faced the Blue Jays at home and went just five innings and gave up seven runs on eight hits and two walks.
The Blue Jays offense was on fire against the Yankees at home, producing a total of 23 runs in the two games in Toronto. They should be able to get at least three runs off Miller, especially since the Mariners won’t be able to give Miller a quick hook with a depleted bullpen.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. 3+ Hits + Runs + RBI (+117)
Guerrero is 1-for-4 with a walk in his regular-season meetings with Miller, but he seemed to find his rhythm in the ALDS, and if he’s locked in, he can be one of the best hitters in all of baseball.
Guerrero had two HRR (hits, runs, and RBI) in Game 4 against the Yankees, but had at least six HRR in each of the first three games of the series, averaging 5.8 HRR for the series.
Guerrero homered in each of the first three games of the series, and if he hits a dinger in this game, he’ll get his three HRR all in one swing. He has multiple ways to get at least three HRR, though, and if the Blue Jays are able to get to Miller, Vladdy will likely be involved in the run production and deliver the win at these plus odds.
Randy Arozarena 2+ Total Bases (+144)
Arozarena hit .238 with 27 homers, 32 doubles, and a triple during the regular season for the Mariners. He locked into the leadoff spot for Seattle and added 31 stolen bases on his way to a very productive 120 wRC+ season.
He is 5-for-17 (.294) in his career against Blue Jays’ starter Kevin Gausman, with two doubles and a home run in their past meetings.
Against the Tigers, Arozarena went 4-for-23 (.174) with a double, but he did fare better against the Blue Jays during the regular season, going 6-for-24 (.250) with a pair of doubles.
Throughout his career, Arozarena has been a postseason hero, with a .309 batting average and .416 wOBA with 11 homers, six doubles, and a triple. He has 83 total bases in his 38 playoff games, averaging 2.2 total bases per game in the playoffs.
After a slow series in the ALDS, he’ll look to bounce back in the ALCS against Toronto, and I like the plus money on the leadoff man to get at least two total bases Sunday night.
