The Seattle Mariners are on an incredible roll, and their momentum shows no signs of slowing down! In a thrilling ALCS Game 2, they secured a dominant 10-3 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays, taking a commanding 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven series. This win, coming just days after their marathon 15-inning triumph in the ALDS, has sports analysts buzzing with excitement.
But here's where it gets controversial: the Mariners' success isn't solely attributed to their pitching prowess. While Bryce Miller's performance in Game 1 was indeed splendid, the team's bats have also come alive at the perfect time. In a conversation with broadcaster Aaron Goldsmith, the question was raised: could the Mariners sustain their winning formula, especially against a formidable Blue Jays team that outhomered the Yankees in the ALDS?
The answer, it seems, is a resounding yes! In a remarkable display of power hitting, the Mariners scored a whopping eight of their ten runs via the long ball. Jorge Polanco, Julio Rodriguez, and Josh Naylor all went deep with home runs, while J.P. Crawford contributed two runs of his own. This offensive explosion is a far cry from their ALDS games against the Detroit Tigers, where they managed just one game with more than three runs.
And this is the part most people miss: the Mariners' success isn't just about individual heroics. It's a testament to the team's collective grit, determination, and ability to adapt. As Bob Stelton puts it, "The amount of grit, guts, and determination this team has shown is remarkable." They've cobbled together pitching from tired arms and starters on short rest, all while silencing a potent Toronto offense that had scored 34 runs in their series against the Yankees. Through two games in Toronto, the Blue Jays have been held to a mere four runs.
Polanco, in particular, has emerged as a postseason hero. His go-ahead three-run homer in the top of the fifth inning not only gave the Mariners the lead but also made him the first player in MLB history to have a go-ahead run in the fifth inning or later of three consecutive postseason games. Polanco's performance ties him with Ken Griffey Jr. for the most go-ahead plate appearances (four) in a single Mariners postseason. With Cal Raleigh and Miller also contributing, it's hard to argue against Polanco being the MVP of the postseason so far.
As the Mariners return to Seattle for Game 3 with George Kirby on the mound, they're just two wins away from their first-ever World Series appearance. The statistics are in their favor: in all best-of-seven postseason series, teams taking a 2-0 lead have gone on to win the series 76 out of 91 times (84%). Under the current 2-3-2 format, teams winning the first two games at home have an even more impressive record, taking the series 44 out of 55 times (80%).
So, Mariners fans, are you ready for this historic run? It's a journey that's been a long time coming, and the team's performance so far has been nothing short of inspiring. Game 3 is set for a 5:08 p.m. first pitch at T-Mobile Park, and the radio coverage on Seattle Sports will begin at 2 p.m. with extended pregame analysis. Will the Mariners continue their dominant streak, or will the Blue Jays fight back? Only time will tell, but one thing's for sure: this postseason run is a dream come true for Mariners fans everywhere.
