DETROIT — A year ago, Detroit pitcher Casey Mize was told that he was not going to be on the Tigers’ roster for the American League Division Series.
On Wednesday, the Tigers will call upon the former No. 1 overall pick to help them stave off elimination in Game 4 of the ALDS against Seattle.
The Mariners lead the series 2-1 and are a win away from returning to the American League Championship Series for the first time since 2001.
“When I’m going through difficult times or whatever the past few years, getting back on the field and being productive, but then being called upon to compete and be your best in times of need, it’s like every athlete’s dream,” Mize said.
It will be Mize’s second career postseason start. Last week, Mize allowed one run on one hit in three-plus innings during Detroit’s 6-1 loss to the Cleveland Guardians in Game 2 of the American League wild-card series. He threw 62 pitches while walking two and striking out one.
Mize had mixed results in two regular-season starts against the Mariners this year, going 1-1 with a 6.23 ERA. He threw 5 2/3 shutout innings for a win at Seattle in his season debut on April 1, striking out six. However, the Mariners tagged him for six runs on six hits in three innings in Detroit on July 12.
In addition to Mize’s best pitching, the Tigers will need to start hitting the ball better. They fanned nine times in an 8-4 loss on Tuesday, raising their major-league-leading playoff total to 68.
“This is the hardest time to hit,” Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said. “I mean, I know just when you’re facing high-end pitching in October, it’s a grind. And obviously their guys are really talented and are exposing a little bit of the zone control that we talk about all the time, where those who win the strike zone usually win the competition.
“We’ve got to get back at it (Wednesday).”
Mariners right-hander Bryce Miller, who went 4-6 with a 5.68 ERA in 18 regular-season starts, will start in his first career postseason appearance.
“I’m excited, ready to go,” Miller said. “This is where we expect it to be, and go seal the deal (Wednesday) and move on and see what happens (between Toronto and) New York. But one day at a time, take care of business (Wednesday) and go from there.
“I think we’re feeling good. Got a lot of confidence. We’ve had confidence in this locker room all year. We’re having fun and we’re confident. So that’s a good combo.”
Miller has dominated the Tigers in his career, firing a total of 19 scoreless innings while going 2-0 in three starts. He struck out 15 and walked one in those outings — two in 2023 and one last year.
The Mariners relied on the hitting of Cal Raleigh, Julio Rodriguez and Jorge Polanco in the first two games. In Game 3, they received homers from Eugenio Suarez and J.P. Crawford in addition to Raleigh.
“Job’s not finished yet,” Raleigh said. “We know we got tough road ahead of us, really tough pitching (Wednesday). And you know it’s gonna be a challenge. We’ve got to bring it (Wednesday). We can’t take a game off. So we’re ready, and we’re still hungry.”
–Bob Tripi, Field Level Media
