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.

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.

Toronto Blue Jays: Who’s (Not) Hot?

Matt Chapman – 0 HR, .098 AVG, .400 OPS, 41 wRC+ (13 games)

Regardless of what he does with the bat, Matt Chapman can always contribute to this team with his strong defensive efforts. However, Chapman’s sluggish end to the season is definitely a concern for the Toronto Blue Jays. If there is a silver lining, the swing-and-miss tendencies weren’t the concern (22.6 K%).

Alejandro Kirk – 1 HR, .146 AVG, .401 OPS, 43 wRC+ (12 games)

Alejandro Kirk is another Blue Jays bat that’s struggling at the wrong time. He’s still showing excellent plate discipline (12.8 BB% vs. 12.8 K%) but the lack of power is the cause for concern. Fortunately for the Blue Jays, if Kirk continues to struggle in the playoffs, they have a more-than-capable deputy in Danny Jansen who finished his year on a positive note.

José Berríos – 13.1 IP, 8.10 ERA, 3.49 FIP (3 starts)

It’s been a weird season for José Berríos as he’s alternated between streaks of brilliance and struggle. Unfortunately for the Blue Jays, it doesn’t seem like the Puerto Rican righty is on one of his hot streaks right now. However, the 3.49 FIP is definitely an encouraging sign and the Blue Jays will need Berríos at his best if they have hopes of playing deep into October baseball.

Yimi Garcia – 5.1 IP, 8.44 ERA, 5.36 FIP (6 games)

One of the Blue Jays’ best relievers this season, Yimi Garcia’s struggles have come at an inopportune time. After going through a stretch where he gave up nine runs combined in four straight appearances, Garcia does seem to have righted the ship a bit with two clean outings to end the season. Still, it’ll be a big worry for the Blue Jays if they can’t rely on Garcia to throw shutdown innings in high-leverage playoff situations.