WATCH: Four Notes from Dan Wilson’s Pregame Presser Ahead of ALDS Game 2
SEATTLE, Wash. — Mariners manager Dan Wilson talked with media on midday Sunday ahead of the second game of the American League Division Series, and although the mood was heavy due to Saturday’s extra-inning loss, he set his sights on an all-important Game 2. A win would set the M’s back on track and bring them into Detroit tied 1-1 in the series, but a loss would push Seattle to the brink of elimination as they go on the road.
From Luis Castillo’s high-pressure start to the lineup’s familiarity with Tigers ace Tarik Skubal, Wilson offered four interesting nuggets of commentary.
I: “Certainly going to be tested today,” Luis Castillo gets the ball in Game 2.
Sunday’s outing is Luis Castillo’s biggest start in years, and although he has won two games against Detroit this season, a playoff Skubal will almost certainly force him to do better than the 3.75 ERA he accumulated over the regular season against the Tigers. Something closer to his four September starts is what the doctor is ordering. Another “hot hand” in George Kirby had a solid start in Game 1, will Castillo blow down the doors?
II: “Often times, stopping there is a play,” Wilson discusses Julio Rodríguez’ baserunning during sixth inning double play.
Had that sixth inning double play only resulted in the force out at second, Polanco’s following flyout would have scored Cal Raleigh from third and given the M’s a 3-2 lead, more than likely flipping the result of the game. It was a close play, really. Rodríguez’ momentum carried him rapidly towards second and towards Javy Báez’ glove. There might have been a chance to fool Báez by spinning towards right field or slightly backing up, but had Báez just thrown to short in that situation, the Tigers would have had enough time to turn two regardless.
III: “Having familiarity with a guy certainly does help, even if it’s Skubal.” Could familiarity help Seattle once again get to Skubal?
Dan Wilson discussed patience at earlier points in the interview, and it was patience that helped Seattle attack Skubal in their previous two games against him. The M’s drew five walks in 10 innings, three times Skubal’s usual walk rate, and two of those walks came around to score. But with the heavy October air, the M’s will not get as much give on their fly balls, so the well of home runs that they hit against Skubal in the regular season might dry up.
IV: Logan Gilbert “matches up well against this club,” will climb the hill in Game 3.
Over two starts against the Tigers during the regular season, Gilbert gave up three runs in 10 ⅓ innings (2.61 ERA), struck out 19, and walked three. Given that Gilbert could very well be pitching to save the Mariners’ season, this history is a positive sign for the first game in Detroit, but the M’s did not have much of a choice for that contest. Bryan Woo is not on the ALDS roster and the only other somewhat playoff-ready starting pitcher, Bryce Miller, could never find a good groove in the regular season. Miller will almost certainly get the ball for Game 4, but the Mariners have to get there first.