Julio Rodriguez is setting the tone.
The Seattle Mariners' star centerfielder has blasted off in the first inning in each of the last two games of the ALCS, in a way that has made some playoff history.
In Game 2, Rodriguez launched a three-run home run in the first inning.
Then on Wednesday night in Game 3, Rodriguez crushed a two-run homer off Shane Bieber for a 2-0 lead.
He's the first player to hit multi-run homers in the first inning of back-to-back ALCS games since Paul Konerko did it for the 2005 Chicago White Sox, according to Mariners PR.
In Game 2, it set the tone on a blowout victory.
In Game 3, unfortunately for the Mariners, it was about the only bright spot before the Blue Jays bludgeoned Seattle the rest of the night.
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Julio has been a clutch postseason performer for most of his career. Earlier in these playoffs, he had extended a streak of hitting for extra bases in playoff games. That ended, but Rodriguez has heated up again.
The Mariners surely wouldn't complain if Rodriguez did the same thing again Thursday night in Game 4.
Seattle still has a 2-1 lead after the rough loss, and so there's plenty of chance to turn things back in their favor.
Rodriguez leaving the yard in the first inning again would go a long way toward getting right back on a good track.
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