3 Mariners players that present the biggest danger to the Blue Jays AL pennant hopes

With Friday’s prolonged ALDS results in the books, the opponents for the Toronto Blue Jays in the ALCS was finally determined. The Blue Jays will be facing the Seattle Mariners in a playoff rematch dating back to the AL Wild Card Series in 2022.

Between the Detroit Tigers and the Mariners, Seattle appears to pose a greater threat to Toronto’s chances of advancing beyond the ALCS to the World Series. With impactful players throughout their lineup, the Mariners will definitely give the Blue Jays a good run for the money when all is said and done.

3 Mariners players that present the biggest danger to the Blue Jays AL pennant hopes

Randy Arozarena

Randy Arozarena had always been a thorn on the Jays’ side during his time with the Tampa Bay Rays. Often coming up clutch against Toronto in key moments, Arozarena has compiled a solid .261 average, .770 OPS, along with 35 runs scored, 18 doubles, six home runs, 34 RBIs and 14 stolen bases in 60 career games against the Jays. As a result, he has done his damage both at the plate and on the basepaths to keep Toronto on their toes.

With Arozarena making a name for himself as a big-time performer in the MLB Playoffs dating back to his exceptional showing in helping the Rays to the World Series in 2020, look for the 30-year-old veteran to elevate his game once again against his old-time divisional rivals this time around in the ALCS.

Andrés Munõz

Andrés Munõz has already proven to be one of the best closers in the game during the past few seasons with the Mariners. With a career 2.28 ERA, 1.03 WHIP, along with 324 strikeouts in just 236.1 innings pitched with Seattle since 2021, Munõz is as tough as it gets.

It also doesn’t help that the young 26-year-old closer happens to own the Blue Jays over his brief MLB career to date. In eight appearances, Munòz has held Toronto scoreless on just three hits with seven strikeouts over 8 1/3 innings of work.

As for his prior performance against the Blue Jays during the postseason, he recorded a win along with three strikeouts in 2.2 innings pitched to help the Mariners sweep the Blue Jays during the 2022 AL Wild Card Series.

As a result, it is of Toronto’s best interest to keep Munõz from showing up in any game in the 2025 ALCS. Otherwise, the Jays’ quest for the AL pennant could end quicker than the blink of an eye.

Cal Raleigh

Finally, we have potentially one of the favourites for the 2025 AL MVP Award in the “Big Dumper” Cal Raleigh. Known already to be a renowned Jays’ killer over the years, Raleigh is perhaps the last player Toronto wants to see in the midst of their postseason run.

All the 28-year-old catcher has done in 2025 is set the record for the most home runs by a catcher in MLB history with 60, along with breaking Ken Griffey Jr. and his Mariners’ franchise home run record as well in the process.

Not only that, Raleigh has recorded a .274 average, 1.016 OPS, with 17 runs scored, 10 home runs and 20 RBI in just 24 career games against the Blue Jays. With that, he has belted a home run in every 8.4 at-bats and has registered almost an RBI per game versus Toronto.

Perhaps the Blue Jays should give Raleigh the same Aaron Judge international walk treatment whenever possible during the ALCS. Otherwise, the Big Dumper could single-handedly end Toronto’s hope and dreams for a World Series championship in due time.