The Seattle Mariners might be everybody’s favorite team right now.
After falling just short of the postseason in 2021, the Mariners were determined to come back stronger in 2022, and they’ve done just that.
With a 90-72 record, the M’s secured the second American League Wild Card and stomped the Toronto Blue Jays.
Now, they’ll face the Houston Astros in the ALDS.
While they’ll be heavy underdogs against the defending AL champions, they’ll have just the right guy to open up the series for them on Tuesday.
They’ll send right-hander Logan Gilbert to the mound, who had a 2.52 ERA in 25 innings pitched against Houston, while also striking out 22 batters, which is second to Shohei Ohtani.
Logan Gilbert, #Mariners projected Game 1 starter, had a 2.52 ERA over 25 IP against #Astros in the regular season.
Gilbert registered 22 strikeouts against Houston this season. The only @MLB pitcher to strike out more Astros? Shohei Ohtani (45).@MLBNetwork @MLBStats
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) October 10, 2022
M’s Tab Gilbert For Game 1
This is something to look forward to if you’re a Mariners fan.
It doesn’t really matter if you’re the underdog in October, so long as you have some elite starting pitching that can carry you.
And the Mariners have plenty of that.
Gilbert went 13-6 with a 3.20 ERA in 32 starts this year, which was just his second full season in the big leagues.
He’ll be against Justin Verlander, which should make for a fun pitcher’s duel.
But it’s hard not to feel confident if you’re the Mariners coming into this series.
Gilbert is certainly a guy who can handle the Astros’ top-heavy offense, and if you’re going against them in a playoff series, this is just the right guy to start Game 1, other than Luis Castillo, who pitched in the Wild Card Series.
Gilbert’s stats against the Astros are nothing short of dominant, and that should have the Mariners feeling pretty good about things heading into Game 1 tomorrow.
The game will get underway at 3:37 p.m. Eastern Time.
NEXT: Cal Raleigh Made Mariners History Right Away In Game 1