Rating the better matchup for the Blue Jays in the ALCS 

After Wednesday’s huge win over the New York Yankees in the ALDS, the Toronto Blue Jays return to the ALCS for the first time since 2016. But with one big series down and two more to go, the job is far from done as the Blue Jays continue their quest for the World Series title.

Toronto now awaits their next opponent, as the Detroit Tigers forced a Game 5 in their battle with the Seattle Mariners. The question becomes, which of the two teams would make for a better matchup in the ALCS against the Blue Jays? Let’s break it down for each of the Tigers and Mariners to see which club the Blue Jays could have the upper hand on.

Rating the better matchup for the Blue Jays in the ALCS 

Detroit Tigers

When it comes to the Tigers, many veteran Toronto fans will always remember the biggest collapse in Jays history back in 1987. That year, Toronto blew a huge division lead late in the season, including getting swept at the hands of Detroit during the final series to miss the postseason entirely.

Wouldn’t it be great for the Jays to finally get some redemption this year by facing the Tigers and officially wipe away those agonizing memories with more celebratory ones?

So how would the Jays stack up against the Tigers? In 2025, Toronto went 4-3 against Detroit, including taking three of four on the road at Comerica Park. As for the Tigers’ rotation, other than their ace Tarik Skubal, the rest of the starters don’t seem as tantalizing to deal with.

The good news is that Skubal will be pitching in the do-or-die Game 5 of the ALDS, which means he will likely only get one start in the ALCS if the Tigers were to make it through to the second round.

In addition, Detroit ranked near the middle of the pack during the regular season for the bulk of the major offensive categories, including batting average (.247), OPS (.729), hits (1346), doubles (244), home runs (198), and walks (511).

More significantly, as a team they stole only 61 bases during the regular season, ranking them dead last in the league, so Toronto wouldn’t need to worry too much about threat on the basepaths and focus on the hitter at the plate.

On top of that, the Tigers field a pretty young lineup with the bulk of their starters practically age 27 or less, so their inexperience could catch up to them as the games get bigger. 

Blue Jays preferred rating: 8/10

Seattle Mariners 

The last time the Jays faced the Mariners in the playoffs? Yes, another memory worth forgetting as it was another epic collapse by Toronto during Game 2 of the 2022 AL Wild Card Series against Seattle that has been painfully etched in Jays playoff history lore. So it’s about time the Blue Jays can rewrite some history with a chance at redemption now three years later.

So can Toronto overcome that setback with their renewed group this year? In 2025, the Blue Jays took the season series 4-2 from the Mariners, including sweeping them at T-Mobile Park. However, with Seattle’s No. 1 starter Bryan Woo potentially available for the ALCS round, along with Luis Castillo and Logan Gilbert, the Jays would be facing three ace-like pitchers that could easily shut down their potent offense as a result. 

Moreover, the Mariners had one of the top offenses in the league this season, ranking ninth in runs scored (766) and walks (544), third in home runs (238) and stolen bases (161), and tenth in OPS (.740).

As a result, they can hurt not only with their power but with also their speed on the basepaths. In addition, facing the power gauntlet lineup of Randy Arozarena, Cal Raleigh, Julio Rodríguez, Jorge Polanco, Josh Naylor and Eugenio Suárez will sure be a daunting task for any pitcher.

Blue Jays preferred rating: 4/10

Overall Synopsis

In comparison, the Tigers appear to be a much better matchup for the Jays rather than the Mariners. Not only would Toronto have much more valuable veteran experience over the Detroit group, their potent offense would fare better against a less daunting Tigers rotation beyond Skubal.

However, if the Jays do end up with the Mariners, there is actually a nice consolation in the fact that Jays fans usually flood across the border to see Toronto play in Seattle (as well as Detroit from Windsor). As a result, creating a “home” environment for the Jays for their away games at T-Mobile Park could give them enough of an advantage to contend against the Mariners.