Seattle Mariners sweep the A’s, here’s what to root for on the M’s off day
New York vs. Toronto – 4:05 PM PST
This series is also tied. The Mariners did their part by sweeping Oakland again. M’s fans need to figure out who to root for here. If we knew that the Mariners would win out, then it’s Toronto. If Seattle only takes two of three from the Angels, then Mariners Nation roots for the Yankees today. Then Toronto would be tied with the M’s heading into a final matchup against the Orioles.
Pitching matchup
Veteran right-hander Corey Kluber (6-3, 3.82 ERA) takes the mound for New York. The Blue Jays counter with Cy Young frontrunner Robbie Ray (13-6, 2.68 ERA). Ray’s 2021 resume is very impressive. While he won’t win the triple-crown of pitching, he will take the ERA and strikeouts crowns unless the Yankees blow him out of the water tonight.
Tomorrow is Ray’s birthday; he turns 30 years old. 2021 is the most dominant, most healthy, and most consistent season of his career. He leads the American League in ERA, Strikeouts, WHIP, ERA+ (Ballpark adjusted ERA), Hits Per 9, and is setting career-high numbers along the way. He is susceptible to the long ball (29 home runs given up). His success this year is due to limiting the damage those long fly balls do by keeping runners off base.
The Yankees counter with 35-year-old, two-time Cy Young Award winner Corey Kluber. The 11-year MLB veteran fought injuries all season. Thursday is just his 16th start of the season, and NY skipper Aaron Boone likely has him on a very short leash.
This will be his sixth start since returning from the IL (injured list) on August 30. He’s only made it into the sixth inning once and hovered around 85 pitches those starts. Kluber threw a no-hitter on May 19th, which is the main reason why his 2021 starts look as good as they do.
Which team?
As far as who to root for? It almost doesn’t matter. I’m fine with the Yankees winning to put some cushion between the Mariners and Blue Jays. The Yankees finish the season with the Rays, and that could be a tough series, but it could also be a series of rest for Tampa.
I’m also okay with the Blue Jays winning and putting the Yankees, Red Sox, Mariners, and Blue Jays all within one game of each other. Someone is going to lose; if the Mariners win out, I can’t see it being them.
Joe Swenson is an author, playwright, screenwriter, producer, director, and all-around fun dude.