Mariners Head to Toronto After Marathon ALDS Game 5 Delay

The Seattle Mariners just pulled off a wild, exhausting 15-inning win over the Detroit Tigers to clinch the ALDS. Now, they’ve got to regroup for the ALCS against the Toronto Blue Jays.

But the party didn’t last long. Travel headaches and logistical chaos hit them right after the game, and it’s hard to say if that might affect how both teams handle the series.

Toronto’s got home-field advantage and a healthier roster, so this opener is already feeling tense.

Mariners Face Delays after Epic ALDS Win

The Seattle Mariners fought through extra innings to lock up their ALDS spot. Then, their travel plans went sideways.

They scheduled two charter flights—one for players and staff, another for families. Strangely, the families’ plane took off first, leaving players stuck in Seattle for hours.

The team didn’t even get to Toronto until after 8 p.m. Eastern Time. That unexpected downtime at T-Mobile Park gave them a chance to get some treatment and rest.

Still, it threw off their routine. No formal workout happened Saturday, and that’s not ideal heading into a huge series.

Impact on Mariners’ Preparation

Manager Dan Wilson admitted the turnaround was tight. He said his guys felt mentally ready for the ALCS anyway.

But you have to wonder—will the marathon ALDS and travel delays drain their energy for Game 1?

Blue Jays Ready and Waiting

The Toronto Blue Jays stuck to a normal workout, hitting the field from 4 to 6 p.m. Saturday. Their manager, John Schneider, watched Seattle’s wild game and called it “entertaining but exhausting.”

He pointed out that both teams’ pitching staffs probably felt the effects before the ALCS even started.

Roster Adjustments and Game 1 Plans

The Blue Jays might get a lift if Bo Bichette returns from his sprained knee. That would be huge for their lineup and infield defense.

Schneider said they’ll go with 13 pitchers and 13 position players, ready for long, gritty games.

The pitching order looks like this:

• Game 1 Starter: Kevin Gausman
• Potential Game 2 Starter: Trey Yesavage
• Potential Game 3 Starter: Shane Bieber

Pitching Depth Could Decide the Series

Seattle’s bullpen worked overtime in the ALDS. Toronto’s arms are fresher, and that really could tip the scales early in the series.

Carrying 13 pitchers shows Toronto knows how much October baseball leans on deep bullpens and late-game chess matches.

Seattle’s Counterplay

The Mariners will have to get creative with their pitching staff. Fatigue is a real concern, especially with all the travel thrown in.

They’ll need to dig deep mentally, not just physically, when Game 1 rolls around.

Postseason Dynamics at Play

This ALCS is more than just numbers and matchups. Seattle’s scrappy, emotional run meets Toronto’s methodical prep and home-field edge.

It’s momentum versus rest, grit versus planning. Who knows which will win out?

Key Storylines to Watch

Fans and analysts will be looking closely at:

• Whether Seattle’s lack of a formal workout affects Game 1 performance.
• Bo Bichette’s status and impact if he returns.
• The effectiveness of both teams’ bullpen strategies after a taxing ALDS finale.

The late arrival, deep rotations, and tactical roster moves turn this ALCS into a real chess match. It’s not just athleticism—both managers will probably lean on their pitching plans and try to adapt fast in tense moments.

Seattle just landed in Toronto, hungry to compete. The Blue Jays stand ready, their strategy clear, and honestly, Game 1 could set the vibe for the whole series.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Mariners turn attention to Toronto. They just had to get there first.