Seattle Mariners Heat Check: Who’s Hot, Who’s Not for ALCS

The Seattle Mariners are on the brink of history, just four wins away from their first-ever World Series appearance.

After dispatching the Detroit Tigers in a dramatic five-game ALDS, the Mariners now turn their focus to the AL East champion Toronto Blue Jays in the ALCS.

Seattle leaned on key offensive performances, clutch hitting, and dominant pitching throughout the series.

The team showed both resilience and star power — though they definitely had some rough patches along the way.

Mariners’ Offensive Leaders Shine in the ALDS

Seattle’s lineup stepped up in crucial moments against Detroit.

Several players delivered game-changing performances when it mattered most.

Cal Raleigh’s Standout Series

Catcher Cal Raleigh became the offensive engine for the Mariners.

He led the team in nearly every major hitting category, and his bat was both consistent and dangerous.

Opposing pitchers struggled to get him out during the series.

Jorge Polanco’s Clutch Factor

Jorge Polanco made a name for himself with his knack for rising in big moments.

His two home runs off Tarik Skubal shifted the momentum, and his walk-off hit in the 15th inning of Game 5 sealed his status as one of the series’ ultimate heroes.

Pitching Depth and Dominance

The Mariners’ pitching staff put together one of the most balanced postseason performances in franchise history.

From reliable starters to shutdown relievers, every victory rested on a foundation of strong arms.

Starter Performances

• Logan Gilbert: He tossed six strong innings in Game 3 and then added two scoreless relief frames in the clincher.
• Luis Castillo: Castillo fired 4⅔ shutout innings in Game 2 and closed out Game 5 with more than an inning of flawless work.
• George Kirby: Kirby logged an impressive 10 innings with 14 strikeouts, giving up just three runs across two starts.

Reliever Impact

• Andrés Muñoz: He dominated with 5⅓ scoreless frames over four appearances — all in Mariners wins.
• Eduard Bazardo: Bazardo overcame early struggles to deliver 2⅔ vital scoreless innings in Game 5.

Struggles Worth Noting

While the Mariners’ path to the ALCS had plenty of highlights, some players and bullpen lapses nearly derailed their effort.

Cold Bats

• Eugenio Suárez: Suárez endured a tough stretch, going just 2-for-21 with nine strikeouts.
• Randy Arozarena: Arozarena kept making hard contact but just couldn’t produce big results when it counted.

Relief Woes

• Gabe Speier: Speier allowed key runs that swung early momentum.
• Caleb Ferguson: Ferguson struggled in high-leverage spots.
• Carlos Vargas: Vargas gave up costly runs that nearly changed the series outcome.

Looking Ahead to the ALCS

With their first-ever World Series berth within reach, the Mariners now prepare to battle the Toronto Blue Jays.

The AL East champions bring a potent offense and deep pitching staff, setting up a matchup that should grab national attention.

Keys to Victory for Seattle

• Keep the dominant pitching going, just like they did in the ALDS.
• Let Raleigh and Polanco stay hot at the plate.
• Fix those bullpen issues so they can actually hold late leads.

Seattle’s got this interesting mix—young guys hungry for the moment, and veterans who’ve seen it all. If they can keep up the clutch hitting and stay in control on the mound, maybe, just maybe, that trip to the Fall Classic finally happens.

For Mariners fans, the ALCS is so much more than another playoff round. It feels like a milestone in a story that’s taken decades to write.

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