Mariners right-hander Bryce Miller will start Game 1 of the American League Championship Series when Seattle visits the Toronto Blue Jays on Sunday in the opener of the best-of-seven series.
“I’m fired up,” Miller said on Saturday. “Yeah, I’m ready to go. Pitching in the playoffs is something you dream of, and just getting the opportunity to start us off and get us going early and set the tone is super meaningful.”
Miller is the freshest option after starters Luis Castillo and Logan Gilbert pitched in relief of Seattle’s epic 3-2, 15-inning victory over the Detroit Tigers in the fifth and final game of the AL Division Series on Friday night.
Miller, 27, pitched in Wednesday’s Game 4 at Detroit and was relieved after 55 pitches, which he found disappointing. The Mariners led 3-0 when he was pulled after 4 1/3 innings but he ended up being charged with two runs to go with four hits and zero walks. He struck out two.
Seattle lost that game 9-3 before returning home to win the classic Game 5.
“My last outing, I felt really good,” Miller said. “I think that was the best my stuff has been in a while. So yeah, I’m excited and looking forward to the opportunity.”
In the regular season, Miller was 4-6 with a 5.68 ERA in 18 starts. The outing against the Tigers was his first career postseason game and start.
“We’re excited to hand (Miller) the ball,” Seattle manager Dan Wilson said on Saturday. “We’ll take him as far as he can go.”
Right-hander Kevin Gausman is starting Game 1 for the Blue Jays. He won Game 1 of the ALDS against the New York Yankees on Oct. 4 when he gave up one run and four hits over 5 2/3 innings.
The Mariners have until Sunday morning to turn in their ALCS roster and are leaning toward including All-Star right-hander Bryan Woo, who missed the ALDS.
Woo hasn’t pitched since Sept. 19 due to a pectoral injury. Woo threw a bullpen session Friday and officials want to see how he recovers.
“We’re continuing to assess (Woo’s) availability,” Wilson said. “He seems to be rebounding pretty well. He’s coming back. Right now, we’re continuing to weigh what that timetable might be and when he’ll be available.”
Woo, 25, went 15-7 with a 2.94 ERA in 30 regular-season starts.
–Field Level Media
