Why we like the Blue Jays' lineup better than their ALCS opponent

"The Mariners now face the Blue Jays, with the winner heading to the World Series. Both teams are looking to end long World Series droughts: the Blue Jays haven't won the championship since 1993, and the Mariners have never won the title. For the Mariners in the ALDS, runs came at a premium against the Tigers as they scored 39 runs combined. The Blue Jays nearly put up that many runs on their own against the New York Yankees (34 in one less game)."

"The Mariners face a significant challenge in containing a Blue Jays offense that was highly effective against the Yankees' top pitchers, Luis Gil, Max Fried, and Carlos Rodon. With Luis Castillo and Logan Gilbert having pitched in relief during Game 5 on Friday night, the Mariners' rotation now lacks certainty after Game 1 starter Bryce Miller, with Bryan Woo returning from injury and George Kirby expected to start Game 3 on four days' rest. This uncertainty in pitching depth is a critical matchup point. Whoever is on the mound, it will be a challenge to hold down a Blue Jays offense that had six players who had more than 10 at-bats finish the series with above an 8.00 OPS (Addison Barger, Andrés Giménez, Anthony Santander, and George Springer were the only exceptions). It's no surprise that Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is the leader in the team's OPS success (1.609). He went 9-17 with nine home runs and nine RBIs and proved to be a nuisance to Yankee pitchers."

The Mariners survived a 15-inning ALDS thriller against the Tigers and now face the Blue Jays for a trip to the World Series. Both clubs seek to end long championship droughts: the Blue Jays' last title came in 1993, and the Mariners have never won. Mariners scoring was limited in the ALDS, totaling 39 runs combined, while the Blue Jays generated 34 runs in one fewer game against the Yankees. Detroit ranked 16th in ERA (3.95) with Tarik Skubal's 2.21 ERA skewing that mark. The Blue Jays performed strongly against top pitching, and Seattle's rotation faces uncertainty after relief appearances by Luis Castillo and Logan Gilbert, Bryan Woo's return from injury, and George Kirby's planned short-rest start. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. led the Blue Jays' OPS explosion, hitting 9-for-17 with nine homers and nine RBIs (1.609 OPS).

Read at Jays Journal