The M’s might be off, but playoff implications are still happening!
The Mariners won in resounding fashion over the Astros yesterday 8-1, but unfortunately, they got no help from teams facing the triumvirate of the Tigers, Royals, and Twins. With the final off day of the season for Seattle being today, it’s the perfect chance to spend the day scoreboard watching, and here is the perfect place to do so!
Royals at Nationals, 10:05am PDT
Kicking off the day will be Michael Wacha going against Patrick Corbin, who at long last is nearing the end of the seven-year deal that Nationals gave him. Corbin hasn’t worked out well for the Nats since 2019, but if there was ever a time for him to rediscover his old magic, now would be ideal. Wacha, on the other hand, has been on a tear his last handful of starts, and with a solid 3.59 FIP on the year, Washington will need to step it up to snap their 30-inning scoreless streak. Go Nats.
Rays at Tigers, 10:10am PDT
Seemingly nothing has gotten in the way of the Tigers, whose 15-6 record in September has seen them charge into a Wild Card spot entering the final weekend of the regular season. Righty Reese Olson will start for Detroit, but don’t count on him to pitch more than a few innings; since returning from injury, he’s thrown just 2.1 and 3 innings in his two starts back. Perhaps the Rays can jump on their bullpen? Lefty Tyler Alexander – a former Tiger himself – will be on the bump for Tampa, and although he’s had a tough year, he’s coming off 4.2 scoreless innings against the Blue Jays. Finishing the year strong would be great for both him and the Mariners’ chances. Go Rays.
Marlins at Twins, 4:40pm PDT
After an early afternoon breather, the final matchup of the day will kick off right around the end of the work day for those of us on the West Coast. Miami secured a 100-loss season yesterday, but will still look to play spoiler by sending out rookie Valente Bellozo to start. Bellozo has certainly had some good fortune over a dozen starts, with a 3.82 ERA outpacing his 5.74 FIP by nearly two runs, but with just one start left for him, we can hope he has a little bit of that magic left. The Twins will be starting fellow rookie David Festa, who has underperformed his FIP by nearly a full run. The righty has racked up plenty of strikeouts (28.6% K%), but has been knocked around most of September, though he is coming off five innings of one-run ball against the Red Sox. You might remember the Mariners dropping a series in Miami back in mid-June – maybe a harbinger of things to come. But if the Fish can keep playing spoiler? I might forgive them after all. Go Marlins.