Seattle Mariners exhausted their starting pitchers over 15 innings; Miller to start ALCS Game 1

In the ALDS Game 5, the Mariners and Tigers engaged in the lengthiest sudden-death game ever in the playoffs. The Mariners clinched a 3-2 victory with Jorge Polanco’s walk-off hit, concluding a grueling 4 hours and 58 minutes of 15 innings, marking their first ALCS appearance in 24 years.

Since Bryce Miller was the only healthy starting pitcher who did not appear on the 11th, the Mariners had no option but to start him in ALCS Game 1.

During the Game 5 of the Division Series, both teams exhausted all their relief pitchers in extra innings to fight for a spot in the next round, eventually resorting to starting pitchers. In the bottom of the 15th, Polanco hit a walk-off with the bases loaded, sealing this thrilling victory for the Mariners.

On the 13th, the Mariners will begin their ALCS journey on the road against the Blue Jays. Since Luis Castillo and Logan Gilbert, who started Games 2 and 3 of the Division Series, pitched in the extra innings of Game 5 and cannot start Game 1, and with George Kirby having started Game 5, the Mariners’ only starting pitcher option for ALCS Game 1 is Bryce Miller from Game 4, who will face Blue Jays ace Kevin Gausman after just three days of rest.

The good news is that the Mariners expect to have standout Asian-American pitcher Bryan Woo back for this round. Sources indicate Woo will be included on the Mariners’ 26-man ALCS roster but will not play in the first game. The team plans to re-examine Woo today to assess his recovery from yesterday’s bullpen session fluctuations, as he continues to heal from a pectoral inflammation.

The Mariners want to monitor Woo’s pitching performance before allowing him to participate in the postseason. Since his last start on September 19 in Houston, Woo has not appeared again nor been on the Division Series roster. Manager Dan Wilson said, “We are continuously evaluating his comeback. His recovery looks promising, but we are still watching the timeline and when he can return to the mound.”

The Mariners’ 26-man ALCS roster is expected to be announced tomorrow morning, with the team having departed for Toronto yesterday.

Notably, Miller was the only healthy starting pitcher who did not pitch in Division Series Game 5. He received a brief rest before ALCS Game 1. Previously, he started Game 4 in Detroit, throwing 4.1 innings with 55 pitches, but the Mariners lost 3-9 to the Tigers, setting the stage for the decisive Game 5.