Why the Mariners and Tigers marathon only benefits the Blue Jays

It didn't feel like it would be possible for the Toronto Blue Jays smiles to get even bigger than they were after eliminating the New York Yankees in the ALDS. But Blue Jays fans across the country were grinning ear to ear late into the night on Friday as the Seattle Mariners and the Detroit Tigers didn't feel like winning a postseason clincher.

The Mariners and the Tigers played the longest MLB playoff winner take all game in history as they went 15 innings before someone finally decided they actually wanted to win. Seattle came out on top with a 3-2 victory and their prize is getting on a plane early Saturday morning and heading three hours east to prepare for their ALCS showdown against Toronto.

Why the Mariners and Tigers marathon only benefits the Blue Jays

The Mariners certainly have some momentum on their side. They only have a one day break before they get back on the field why the Blue Jays have been off since Wednesday, but that's about the only benefit for the Mariners who needed to use multiple pitchers and tax multiple position players in order to eliminate the Tigers.

The Mariners used seven pitchers in the game, with five of the six relievers needed to get more than six outs each. Two of those "relievers" were actually part of the Mariners starting rotation - meaning they used three starting options in one game.

George Kirby got the start, giving up just three hits and one earned run through five. Logan Gilbert got six outs in the 10th and 11th innings, while Luis Castillo finished the game, getting four outs in the 14th and 15th innings.

The Mariners have yet to name a starter for Game 1 as of this writing. It could be Bryan Woo - if he's healthy, after suffering a pectoral injury. And sure, Castillo and Gilbert could also be options after their brief outings on Friday. Outside of that, Emerson Hancock might be the freshest arm they have that has starting experience. It's all of a sudden looking like one of the Mariners biggest strengths, could be in disarray.

The Mariners also had Cal Raleigh catch all 15 innings of that game and while he had a terrific series batting .381/.480/.571 he only hit one home run and one has to wonder how much power he's got left after a long season of smashing home runs.

The switch-hitting catcher hit 60 of them in the regular season and ask anyone who has gotten to that number before, it takes a toll on those players physically. And bear in mind, no one has ever done it while meeting the substantial requirements necessary to also catch 121 games as he did, while also filling in over 30 more times.

So while the pitching staff and the "Big Dumper" are coming into Toronto on emotional highs but perhaps physical lows, the Blue Jays have an opportunity to take advantage of two of the Mariners biggest strengths and force them to pay the price for winning a marathon playoff clinching game.