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9 hours ago
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The Seattle Mariners are preparing for one of the biggest games in franchise history. A win in Game 7 of the American League Championship Series would send them to their first World Series appearance in team history.
After Game 6, both teams confirmed that the starting pitchers will replicate the Game 3 matchup. George Kirby will take the mound for Seattle, opposing Toronto’s Shane Bieber. Kirby will look to rebound after struggling in Game 3, allowing eight runs in four innings during a 13-4 loss.
So far this postseason, Kirby is 0-1 with a 7.07 ERA, but he has delivered in high-pressure moments before. In Game 5 of the Division Series against Detroit, he gave the Mariners five innings of one-run ball to keep their season alive.
With the season on the line once again, manager Dan Wilson is expected to have all pitchers available out of the bullpen.
Wilson also made a few tweaks to the batting order after keeping the same lineup in Games 5 and 6. Second baseman Luis Rivas moves up from ninth to eighth in the order, while Victor Robles replaces Dominic Canzone in right field and will hit ninth. Canzone has struggled this postseason, hitting .111, while Robles hasn’t fared much better at .115.
Veteran catcher Mitch Garver remains on the bench but could be used as a pinch hitter in key late-game situations.
Wilson and the Mariners will hope these adjustments pay off as they look to make history and clinch the club’s first-ever World Series berth.
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