Seattle Mariners vs. Toronto Blue Jays

Yes, it’s been 24 years since the Seattle Mariners have been in the ALCS. They just got through a grueling ALDS against the Detroit Tigers in which they needed 15 innings to clinch the series in Game 5. Their pitching played a large part in that with George Kirby, Logan Gilbert and Luis Castillo being the best of their rotation. They will get Bryan Woo back for the ALCS, but in what capacity is yet to be determined. Closer Andres Munoz didn’t allow a run in 4 games and converted his only save opportunity. Eduard Bazardo and Matt Brash were solid in their setup roles. Bazardo’s only blemish came in Game 4 of the ALDS, but he rebounded nicely in relief in Game 5. It might not have looked like it, but Jorge Polanco had a solid series against Detroit. He hit his two home runs against Tarik Skubal in Game 2 and drove in the series clinching run in Game 5 in the 15th inning. Cal Raleigh batted .381 and drove in 4 runs in the ALDS. The likes of Julio Rodriguez and Randy Arozarena have to be better than their .174 average so far in this Postseason. Eugenio Suarez hasn’t been any better, but Josh Naylor has been a table setter for them in the middle of the lineup. This is Seattle’s best chance at a winner since that historic 2001 season. Their depth will be tested in the ALCS.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. had a field day with the New York Yankees in the ALDS. If his .529 average wasn’t enough he also hit 3 home runs and had 9 RBI. It’s safe to say that if he continues on this trajectory that Toronto will be a tough team to beat going forward. He wasn’t alone in having torrid start to the Postseason. Daulton Varsho drove in 4 runs with 2 home runs while batting .438 in the ALDS. Ernie Clement batted .643 and drove in 5 runs in the four games of the series. Nathan Lukes also drove in 5 runs during the ALDS. If Anthony Santander gets going after an injury marred season this lineup will get even better. Trey Yesavage’s lone start in Game 2 set the tone for the pitching staff in the ALDS. He had a no-hitter going while striking out 11 batters in just over 5 innings. Kevin Gausman was solid in his Game 1 start and got plenty of run support in the end. Toronto will have Chris Bassitt and Max Scherzer available for the ALCS and that helps bring depth to their rotation. Toronto’s bullpen was shaky at times, but they’ll need to be better if they want to get to that World Series.

Blue Jays in 6 games

Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Milwaukee Brewers

It wasn’t a dominant performance out the Dodgers lineup in the NLDS against Philadelphia, but they did enough to win the series in 4 games. Teoscar Hernandez had a go-ahead 3-run HR in Game 1 to put the Dodgers ahead for good to start the series. Max Muncy had a .444 batting average, but didn’t drive in any runs. Enrique Hernandez shows up in big moments in October as he drove in 3 runs in the NLDS. Shohei Ohtani has to be better at the plate. He struck out 9 times and batted .056. Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman struggled as well batting .235 and .200 respectively. The real reason why the Dodgers are back in the NLCS is from their pitching. While Ohtani struggled as a hitter, his first Postseason start was a good one as he struck out 9 batters in 6 innings of his Game 1 start. Tyler Glasnow struck out 10 batters in two appearances, one of them being in relief. Blake Snell also struck out 9 batters in his only start of the NLDS. Roki Sasaki has officially locked down the back end of their bullpen getting two saves and allowing only one hit in his 3 appearances. If their lineup recovers it’ll be hard to keep them out of another World Series appearance.

Milwaukee like the Dodgers are using starters out of their bullpen in the Postseason. Rookie Jacob Misiorowski has been a flame thrower in his 7 innings of work in relief striking out 7 batters and allowing only one run. Their ace Freddy Peralta struck out 15 batters in his two starts against the Chicago Cubs in the NLDS. Will Milwaukee get better production from someone else out of their rotation? They will need it if they want to advance to the World Series. Their bullpen has been putting up incredible performances though with Abner Uribe, Trevor Megill and Chad Patrick allowing only one hit in their combined 9-2/3 innings of work. The Brewers were mashing in the first two games of the NLDS against the Cubs, but were quiet for the remainder of the series. Jackson Chourio drove in 6 runs and batted .389. He is battling through a hamstring injury that flared up in Game 1, but as long as he remains in the lineup Milwaukee should breathe a sigh of relief. Williams Contreras drove in 3 runs and batted .300. Andrew Vaughn drove in 4 runs while batting .286. Christian Yelich didn’t drive in any runs, but batted .263 and kept the Cubs honest with him being a presence in the batting order. Brice Turang and Sal Frelick need to be better in order to lessen the pressure on the others in the lineup.

Dodgers in 7 games