Mariners vs. Blue Jays wild-card series preview: Toronto holds firepower advantage

The Toronto Blue Jays will host a playoff game for the first time since 2016. Seattle Mariners fans have been without a postseason since 2001.

Mariners vs. Blue Jays wild-card series preview.

Toronto is second in the majors in wRC+ (118) and third in OPS (760). Seattle's numbers (107 and .705) are respectable, but a long way behind. Seattle hit just five fewer home runs than Toronto, and they have a stingier home park. Toronto has six qualified hitters with a wrc+ of 115 or better, while Seattle has three.

Mariners vs. Blue Jays wild-card series preview: Toronto holds firepower advantage.

The Seattle Mariners are a pitching-driven team. The Blue Jays have had several disappointments on the mound this season. Seattle picked up a top-of-the-rotation starter at the trade deadline in Luis Castillo.

The Seattle Mariners have a better record than the Toronto Blue Jays. The difference is due to the fact that Seattle's bullpen has a lower ERA and higher fWAR than Toronto's.

Seattle is a better team on base running and defence than Toronto. Seattle has more base stealers than the Blue Jays. Toronto has better base runners than Seattle. Toronto's UZR is higher than its defensive statistics. The Blue Jay's base-running statistics are similar to Seattle's. They have more stolen bases than they do base steals. Their base stealing percentage is better than their base runner's percentage.

Mariners and Blue Jays are playing a wild-card game. The pitching matchups for the game are below.

Alek Manoah and Luis Castillo are going to start for Toronto and Seattle respectively in the wild-card game. Manaah has limited experience against the Mariners, but he did pitch 7.1 innings of two-run ball against them in July. Castillos has a 2.99 ERA on the season and his 97 mph fastball is still effective.

Kevin Gausman will start for the Blue Jays against Robbie Ray. Ray was let go in the offseason. Seattle has hit Gousman hard in past. Seattle and Toronto are going to play a wild-card game. The winner will play the Seattle Mariners. Toronto has a 10-point advantage over Seattle in OPS against southpaws.

Ross Stripling and Logan Gilbert are the potential pitchers for Seattle and Toronto. Gilbert has hit .307 and slugged .603 in 69 plate appearances. Seattle could give him a short leash or use George Kirby.

Mariners vs. Blue Jays wild-card series starts on 10/06/2022.

Best bet is over 2.5 games played. Seattle has travelled well this season with a road winning percentage similar to what they’ve produced at home. The Mariners have produced a 3.39 ERA in 515 innings since Castillo debuted with them on August 3 and their pitching staff is imposing. Toronto is a higher-risk bet at +260.