MLB insider questions Mariners' Dan Wilson for 7th-inning bullpen decision

Matt Sullivan

•
MLB insider questions Mariners' Dan Wilson for 7th-inning bullpen decision image

The Seattle Mariners lost Game 7 of the ALCS to the Toronto Blue Jays and now will have to go through another full 162-game season, plus make the playoffs and go on a run before making it back to one win away from the World Series.

During Game 7, the Mariners were up 3-1 in the bottom of the seventh inning. But Bryan Woo allowed two runners to get on before getting an out, and Dan Wilson needed to go to the bullpen. He turned to Eduard Bazardo to face George Springer, who gave up the game-winning three-run home run.

After this decision was made by Wilson, Jon Heyman, MLB insider for The New York Post, was critical of Wilson's bullpen decision. He questioned why, in such a big spot, he did not go to his best reliever in Andres Munoz.

MLB insider questions Dan Wilson's 7th-inning bullpen decision

"Andres Munoz should have been in the game up 2 runs, with two in scoring position, all-time clutch hitter George Springer due up and game on the line in 7th." Heyman writes. "Got to go with your best there. No reason not to."

This move from Wilson backfired, as Bazardo allowed the game-winning home run to Springer. While Bazardo had been solid in relief this postseason, he did have a few blow-up outings.

Against the Detroit Tigers, he allowed three earned runs in one game, while in the 15-inning marathon, he went 2.2 innings without allowing a single run.

Munoz, meanwhile, throughout the entire postseason, hadn't allowed a single earned run, let alone a hit. In the regular season, he had a 1.73 ERA and 83 strikeouts, as he was one of the best relievers in baseball.

More: Mariners' Randy Arozarena matches Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig in legendary MLB playoff history

Not going to Munoz, the best option, in such a critical spot, is drawing criticism. Instead of saving Munoz, Wilson should've turned to his best reliever to limit the damage, or get out of the bad situation in the 7th inning.

Instead, Wilson turned to Bazardo, who, while a good reliever, hasn't been as good as Munoz has been this season. Munoz did get into the game, but he pitched the 8th inning after the Mariners were already down 4-3.

Seattle has an offseason to think about this decision, and while it's not the sole reason for the loss and elimination, it's hard to ignore the impact that this decision had on the game.

More Mariners News:

Senior Editor