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

By Jason Lee

TORONTO, ON - SEPTEMBER 30: George Springer #4 of the Toronto Blue Jays celebrates with Whit Merrifield #1 after hitting a 3 run home run in the sixth inning against the Boston Red Sox at Rogers Centre on September 30, 2022 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - SEPTEMBER 30: George Springer #4 of the Toronto Blue Jays celebrates with Whit Merrifield #1 after hitting a 3 run home run in the sixth inning against the Boston Red Sox at Rogers Centre on September 30, 2022 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images) /
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SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – SEPTEMBER 30: Cal Raleigh #29 of the Seattle Mariners celebrates his walk-off home run during the ninth inning against the Oakland Athletics at T-Mobile Park on September 30, 2022 in Seattle, Washington. With the win, the Seattle Mariners have clinched a postseason appearance for the first time in 21 years, the longest playoff drought in North American professional sports. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – SEPTEMBER 30: Cal Raleigh #29 of the Seattle Mariners celebrates his walk-off home run during the ninth inning against the Oakland Athletics at T-Mobile Park on September 30, 2022 in Seattle, Washington. With the win, the Seattle Mariners have clinched a postseason appearance for the first time in 21 years, the longest playoff drought in North American professional sports. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images) /

Seattle Mariners: Who’s Hot?

Cal Raleigh – 4 HR, .281 AVG, 1.070 OPS, 197 wRC+ (10 games)

The first full season for Cal Raleigh, the Mariners’ starting catcher, was a successful one and he ended his year with a nicely-timed hot streak. Raleigh will always be a threat for Blue Jays pitchers with his power (27 HR this season) but even during his recent hot streak, Raleigh showed signs of swing-and-miss tendencies (29.7 K%) which suggests there are ways to get him out.

Mitch Haniger – 4 HR, .320 AVG, .997 OPS, 186 wRC+ (13 games)

Though Mitch Haniger’s 2022 season was marred with injuries, he was able to end his season with some confidence after hitting four home runs and batting over .300. A former All-Star in 2018, Mitch Haniger has the ability to seriously hurt the Blue Jays’ pitching staff this series from the middle of the Mariners’ lineup.

Diego Castillo – 6.2 IP, 1.35 ERA, 3 SV/HLD (7 games)

Perhaps a familiar name for Blue Jays fans from the time he pitched for the Tampa Bay Rays, Diego Castillo is one of many fantastic relievers in a strong Seattle Mariners bullpen. We’ve seen time and time again the impact a shutdown bullpen can make on a series, and Blue Jays hitters will have to figure out how to put up runs against a recently dominant arm.

Andrés Muñoz – 6.1 IP, 1.42 ERA, 2 SV/HD (6 games)

One of the most dominant relievers in baseball this year, Andrés Muñoz will be another big arm that the Mariners throw at the Blue Jays hitters late in games. For the regular season, Muñoz pitched to an electric 13.29 K/9 and 2.08 BB/9. He’s legit.

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