Right-hander Kevin Gausman gets Game 1 start for Blue Jays in ALCS against Mariners
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TORONTO – It has become a familiar routine for the Toronto Blue Jays since securing the top seed in the American League on the final day of the season: rest, prepare and perform.
It worked like a charm against the New York Yankees in the AL Division Series. The Blue Jays, who have had a three-day break between games, are hoping for an encore showing in the AL Championship Series against Seattle.
“I think we’re going to be ready to roll,” said Toronto outfielder Myles Straw. “I feel like that was the perfect amount of time to miss and still be locked in.”
The division title gave Toronto home-field advantage and a bye past the wild-card round. The Yankees went the distance in that best-of-three series against Boston and were worse for it against the Blue Jays.
A similar situation exists now against the Mariners, who will visit Rogers Centre for Game 1 on Sunday night.
The Blue Jays could rest and reset their rotation after wrapping up the ALDS on Wednesday while Seattle was pushed to a decisive game against Detroit that ended late Friday.
The Mariners needed 15 innings to complete the Game 5 win and then spent Saturday afternoon flying across the continent.
“We’re coming off a highly emotional series and have gained some momentum from that,” Mariners manager Dan Wilson said before departing from Seattle. “I feel like we’re in a good spot and looking forward to getting it started.”
The Blue Jays, meanwhile, had a loose workout and took some batting practice on the eve of the best-of-seven opener.
Kevin Gausman will start Game 1 for Toronto while Seattle counters with Bryce Miller.
“Any time you’re handed the ball for what is the most important game up to this point, you’re always going to be fired up and ready for that,” said Gausman, who earned the win in Game 1 of the ALDS.
There were several question marks ahead of the Jays’ series roster announcement on Sunday morning, none bigger than the status of shortstop Bo Bichette.
The team’s hits leader ran the bases Saturday for the first time since suffering a left knee sprain five weeks ago, said Blue Jays manager John Schneider. It’s a roster decision that will likely go down to the wire.
“Everyday availability would be best-case scenario, that’s pretty easy,” he said. “But I think it’s a weird time crunch with the series starting tomorrow and him having to check some boxes here today, too.”
Veteran right-handers Max Scherzer and Chris Bassitt could also return after being left off the ALDS roster. Seattle starter Bryan Woo (pectoral inflammation) may make the cut for the Mariners.
“We’re continuing to assess his availability,” Wilson said. “He seems to be rebounding pretty well.”
Schneider said it was a “definite possibility” that rookie Trey Yesavage could start Game 2 and Shane Bieber could start Game 3. That would be a repeat of the starting order in the ALDS.
The Mariners, meanwhile, had to use starters Logan Gilbert and Luis Castillo in relief in their deciding win over the Tigers. Seattle used seven pitchers in the near five-hour game, but Miller was not one of them.
It will still be short rest for the right-hander, who threw 55 pitches on Wednesday in a 9-3 loss in Game 4.
“He’s excited to get the ball,” Wilson said. “We’re excited to hand him the ball. We’ll take him as far as he can go.”
It’s Seattle’s first ALCS appearance since 2001. The Blue Jays last played in Major League Baseball’s final four in 2016.
The Mariners swept the Blue Jays at Rogers Centre in the wild-card round in 2022.
Game 2 was scheduled for Monday in Toronto. The series will shift to T-Mobile Park for Game 3 on Wednesday and Game 4 on Thursday.
If a fifth game is necessary, it would be played Friday in Seattle. Toronto would host Game 6 on Oct. 19 and Game 7 on Oct. 20 if needed.
The ALCS champion will advance to the World Series against the National League champion. The Blue Jays haven’t won the Fall Classic since 1993.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 11, 2025.