After a blowout victory last night, the Toronto Blue Jays and Seattle Mariners are set to meet again tonight in a pivotal Game 4 of the American League Championship Series.
Toronto will look to even the series at 2-2, which would guarantee the club at least one more game at home in Game 6. Seattle, meanwhile, hopes to take a commanding 3-1 series lead and earn the chance to close things out at home in Game 5.
The Blue Jays returned to form in Game 3, exploding for 13 runs in a lopsided win. Tonight, they’ll hand the ball to veteran right-hander and three-time Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer, who is making his postseason debut for Toronto. The Mariners will counter with Luis Castillo, pitching on five days’ rest after a brief relief appearance in Game 5 of the ALDS.
Both teams made a few lineup adjustments ahead of Game 4. For Seattle, Victor Robles will move to the bench while Dominic Canzone shifts from designated hitter to right field. Jorge Polanco will slide from second base to DH, with Leo Rivas entering to play second. The move comes as Robles has struggled at the plate this series, going 1-for-12 through three games.
Toronto has also shuffled its defense. Addison Barger will move from third base to right field, replacing Anthony Santander. Ernie Clement shifts from second base to third, while Isiah Kiner-Falefa will start at second.
Aside from those changes, both teams’ lineups remain largely the same heading into tonight’s crucial matchup.