Blue Jays vs. Mariners: Who’s Hot and Who’s Not Heading Into the Wild-Card Series?

The Toronto Blue Jays make their much-anticipated return to the playoffs today in a Wild-Card series bout against the Seattle Mariners. Here’s a look at who’s hot (and who’s not) for both teams heading into the series.

**Stats from the last two weeks of the regular season

Toronto Blue Jays: Who’s Hot?

Whit Merrifield – 4 HR, .417 AVG, 1.181 OPS, 234 wRC+ (14 games)

After a disappointing first half to the season, the veteran second baseman turned back the clock recently with the Blue Jays, showing Toronto fans the type of player he was in his prime with the Kansas City Royals. It remains to be seen how big of a role Merrifield will play in the Wild-Card series, but a steady presence in the lower half of the lineup would be a huge boost for the Blue Jays.

Teoscar Hernandez – 5 HR, .314 AVG, 1.058 OPS, 198 wRC+ (13 games)

George Springer – 4 HR, .319 AVG, .970 OPS, 171 wRC+ (12 games)

Set to face a really strong Seattle Mariners pitching staff, the Jays will need to have at least two or three bats really locked in if they want to progress to the next stage of the playoffs. Fortunately, both Teoscar Hernandez and George Springer had fantastic finishes to their season and will be at the forefront of the lineup’s efforts to provide ample run support for the pitching staff.

Blue Jays Pitching

Adam Cimber – 7.2 IP, 0.00 ERA, 2 SV/HLD (8 games)

Jordan Romano – 6.1 IP, 0.00 ERA, 2 SV/HLD (6 games)

Cimber and Romano are two relievers who simply did not give up a run in the final two weeks of the season. The continued success of both pitchers will be crucial as the Blue Jays will undoubtedly need to win close games in the playoffs. If it comes down to a bullpen battle, Romano and Cimber will need to continue stepping up to the occasion.

Alek Manoah – 13.0 IP, 0.00 ERA, 2.19 FIP (2 starts)

Ross Stripling  – 11.0 IP, 0.82 ERA, 2.02 FIP (2 starts)

Kevin Gausman – 15.1 IP, 2.35 ERA. 2.07 FIP (3 starts)

There’s not much I need to say about these three Blue Jays starters. All three pitchers have been incredibly reliable and consistent throughout the season and the Blue Jays would surely not be in this position without them. Perhaps one small concern for the postseason is Gausman’s recent injury to his finger, but the veteran righty himself stated he was ‘good to go’ for whenever the Blue Jays need him.