After a dominant start to their postseason run, the Blue Jays have slumped at the worst possible time. Toronto has opened the ALCS with two losses, and now finds itself in need of a Game 3 victory.
On the flip side, Seattle only needs two wins to clinch its first World Series trip in franchise history. Can the M’s earn a victory tonight in front of their hometown fans? Below, I’ve laid out my preview, prediction, and best bet for Wednesday’s showdown between the Toronto Blue Jays and the Seattle Mariners.
Seattle is favored (-132) over Toronto, with the over/under set at seven runs. Let’s break down which side has the edge on DraftKings Sportsbook entering tonight’s contest.
Blue Jays vs. Mariners prediction, preview
It’ll be Shane Bieber taking the mound tonight for the visitors. It’s been a successful stint up north for the right-hander, traded by Cleveland at the trade deadline. Through 40.1 innings of work, he’s recorded a 3.57 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 8.3 K/9 ratio. However, he was hit hard last week in limited action vs. the Yankees. New York scored three runs (two earned) in just 2.2 innings.
In years past, a trip to T-Mobile Park would be ideal for opposing hurlers. That’s not quite the case this year against a loaded Seattle offense. On Seattle’s lineup, seven different players have notched a wRC+ of at least 100 this season. In addition, Mariners hitters J.P. Crawford (.500 batting average) and Jorge Polanco (.276) have previous success against the veteran.
As previously mentioned, Toronto is in dire straits. No option should be ruled out by manager John Schneider at this point. If Bieber happens to struggle early, an early call to the bullpen is possible. This postseason, the relievers have been a mixed bag for the Jays.
As for the Mariners, they wield one of the most balanced offenses in baseball. Five hitters have posted an OPS of at least .700 this postseason, led by superstar catcher Cal Raleigh (1.078). Even though Seattle plays at spacious T-Mobile Park, the team hit the eighth-most home runs at home this season (104). On the flip side, Bieber coughed up a career-worst 1.8 home runs per nine innings. That’s a worrying number against one of the sport’s most powerful lineups.
It’ll be George Kirby pitching for Seattle, fresh off of his five-inning, one-run masterpiece in Game 5 of the ALDS. This postseason, the right-hander has allowed only three total runs over ten innings (3.00 ERA). The Blue Jays have scored four runs during the first two games of this series. ALDS standouts Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Ernie Clement and Alejandro Kirk have combined to hit 2-for-21 during that time.
Blue Jays vs. Mariners pick, best bet
Right now, it’s difficult to have a ton of confidence in the Blue Jays. Bieber has been a lackluster postseason pitcher throughout his career, and the lineup is clearly missing All-Star Bo Bichette. In comparison, the Mariners enter Wednesday with several surging hitters and a capable arm in Kirby. I’ll back the home team with momentum in this pivotal Game 3.
