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Mike Shildt leaves the Padres: another managerial position opens up

Big news from San Diego.

Manager Mike Shildt, who had been on the job for two years as manager, has decided it’s time to step down. This has just been announced on social networks.

With all due respect to Shildt, he doesn’t have the poise to hide a dismissal like this. And if the Padres had to fire him, it would have been done a little earlier.

He says it’s time he took some time for himself after stints as manager in St. Louis and San Diego. We believe him.

Did he leave for personal reasons? Because he felt things weren’t working out in San Diego, where expectations are high but not always met? Hard to say.

The whole thing was announced as a retirement, but you know as well as I do that a man can come out of retirement for the right offer.

Two years ago, Shildt replaced Bob Melvin as manager. In two years, he never made it very far in the playoffs. Another manager will have to lead the team to success, as the club believes in its chances.

And it’s going to be an interesting job. Stressful, since the owners and AJ Preller are aiming high, but interesting.

The Braves, Rockies, Giants, Nationals, Orioles, Angels and Twins are the other organizations currently looking for a manager for next season.

The Rangers have already hired one of the most prominent candidates: Skip Schumaker.

PMLB
  • Really.

  • Intéressant.

  • Rogers Centre: the roof will be open tonight.

  • Kyle Hendricks is leaning towards retirement.

  • Trey Yesavage will be under pressure.

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Cal Raleigh saves the Mariners against the Blue Jays

In the first inning of last night’s game (Sunday), the chain seemed to come off for the Seattle Mariners, when George Springer hit Bryce Miller’s first pitch over the fence for a home run. Miller then allowed a walk to two of the next three batters. The Rogers Centre was completely engulfed in flames.

But a fireman came to put out the blaze.

Cal Raleigh called a timeout. He lifted his mask over his helmet and took the slowest possible walk to the mound, showing no sign of panic, either in his pilgrimage to the mound or in his discussion with his gunner.

True to form, pitching coach Pete Woodworth was in no hurry to join the meeting on the mound, as most pitching coaches like to do since visits to the mound are limited.

Why didn’t he? Let’s let him answer.

Because it’s Cal’s team. I never question what he does. I trust him completely. I don’t even know what he told him. I just know it was the right thing. That’s always the case with Cal.

The same goes for Miller.

He doesn’t usually have much to say. Sometimes he thinks he’s got jokes, and I give him a little chuckle, and settle back and carry on. He’s always very good with timing. I don’t remember the conversation at all, but I’m sure that’s how it went.

Raleigh then returned to his desk behind home plate. Six pitches later, the Mariners were back in the dugout. With the potential American League MVP on the mound, Seattle’s pitchers retired 26 of the last 28 batters. That was it for the Blue Jays.

And we haven’t even mentioned the fact that he also slammed the tying home run, his 62nd of the season.

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Knee injury: Nathan Lukes could play today

Last night, in the loss of the Toronto Blue Jays, Nathan Lukes hurt his knee. Nothing like Bo Bichette, but still.

We saw him hit himself in the knee with a foul ball, take a few moments to recover, and finally get a base on balls after a 12-shot at-bat. That got Bryce Miller’s juices flowing.

Even though Lukes remained in the game following the hit, we still saw the club choose, a few minutes later, that it was best to play it safe in his case.

Myles Straw eventually replaced him on the right.

The good news, in the circumstances, was that Lukes suffered no fracture. John Schneider even opened the door, following yesterday’s match, to seeing Lukes play this afternoon, on the heels of game #2 of the series.

This will obviously depend on his state of health when the time comes. As long as the club doesn’t push him unnecessarily, as was done with Bo Bichette a month ago…

Lukes is a valued teammate in Toronto and I’m sure a lot of guys are hoping he’ll be able to play Game #2 to level the series with a win apiece.

The Blue Jays don’t want to go three games out West trailing 0-2.

Lukes isn’t just nice: he’s also very useful. He’s sometimes the one who pulls the team up as the club’s #2 hitter, and I’m sure the manager hopes to be able to count on him.

Especially since the Mariners don’t have many left-handed pitchers on their pitching staff…

PMLB
  • Vladdy knows the forward has to give more.

  • A pitching change gives prospects hope.

  • Bryce Miller was supposed to pitch four innings. He pitched six.

  • No, it’s not Kevin Gausman’s fault.

  • The Mariners’ MVP made the difference.

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Blue Jays must perform even if they don’t hate the Mariners

The Blue Jays had a clear path to victory tonight against the Seattle Mariners. It was all there: the fatigue on the other side, the energy from the win over the Yankees, the home-field advantage, the well-placed rotation, etc. But it didn’t happen.

But it didn’t happen.

The Mariners, despite the presence of a starting pitcher with a day less rest than usual, played a near-perfect game on the road on both sides of the ball.

They deserved their 3-1 victory.

What was glaringly obvious was that the Blue Jays’ emotional level dropped as the game wore on. And that’s what Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and his gang will have to deal with: managing emotions.

The Blue Jays don’t hate the Mariners like they hate the Bombers. But even so, the club must perform without the hatred to take them to another level.

Before the game, on the board, “DAAAA Yankees lose” was presented and George Springer started it off with a home run. But after that, it got harder and harder.

The guys weren’t getting any good momentum (the last two offensive innings lasted just 16 pitches…) and the club had just two hits in the game.

Kevin Gausman, who wasn’t doing too badly, was pulled a bit quickly by his manager in the sixth…. but Blue Jays pitchers weren’t the cause of the loss.

The bats were the cause of the defeat.

The club will have to get its act together. If you have to artificially create emotions to motivate the guys, so be it. If you have to create reasons to hate the opponent – as Michael Jordan did so well – to cringe, so be it.

But it will take a spark. There’s still time because it’s only one game, but we’ll have to get back up.

PMLB
  • No fracture for Nathan Lukes. If he can play tomorrow, he will.

  • Two hits in a playoff game: a Blue Jays franchise record.

  • Logan Gilbert will pitch tomorrow.

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Mariners win the first game of their series against the Blue Jays

Tonight, the Blue Jays were visited by the Mariners for the first game of the championship series.

The Blue Jays are looking to reach the World Series for the first time since 1993 and for the third time in their history. They are in the Championship Series for the first time since 2016.

The Mariners, meanwhile, are in the Championship Series for the first time since 2001. They are the only Major League Baseball organization that has never had the chance to play in the World Series.

Although the Mariners threatened in the first (it took a play at home plate to prevent Cal Raleigh from crossing the plate), it was the Blue Jays who scored first. On the first shot he saw, George Springer slammed a long ball.

We’re talking about the first home run to start a game in Blue Jays playoff history.

That said, Bryce Miller did well thereafter. The Blue Jays didn’t get the Mariners starter to pitch enough, knowing he was on short rest and needed to go to relief as soon as possible.

However, it was the same for Kevin Gausman and the Mariners hitters: he didn’t throw many pitches.

In this huge pitcher’s duel, however, Kevin Gausman let Cal Raleigh, the excellent Mariners player who has the Blue Jays’ starting number, hit a home run at his expense. Gausman had retired, in order, all 15 batters before Raleigh.

After 5.2 innings and a walk to Julio Rodriguez, John Schneider asked for help in the bullpen. A naughty shot by Brendon Little allowed Rodriguez to advance to second base.

And what had to happen happened. Polanco made it 2-1 to the Mariners.

So Bryce Miller pitched six innings on short rest, giving up just one run and forcing several soft contacts from opposing batters.

That’s more than could be expected from him under the current circumstances.

The Mariners added a third run in the eighth inning, thanks in part to Randy Arozarena’s two stolen bases. Clearly, the Blue Jays lacked emotion at that point.

That’s how the Blue Jays lost 3-1, and that’s how the Mariners took a 1-0 lead in the series. The next game is tomorrow (5pm) and Trey Yesavage will face… someone.

PMLB
  • DAAAA Yankees lose in pregame ceremonies.

  • Aaron Judge has nothing better to do tonight.

  • Ben voyons.

  • Nathan Lukes eventually left the game. His condition needs to be monitored.

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Trey Yesavage denounces forward attacks on his family following his performances

Recently, Trey Yesavage’s parents have become quite popular.

We saw his family quite a bit every time he pitched. One senses that the young man is really well supported since he’s been on Major League Baseball’s biggest stage.

But it’s not all positive.

Yesavage, on the heels of a press conference before the start of the championship series, spoke as the #2 pitcher in the rotation against Seattle. And he took the opportunity to pass on a message.

What message?

He wants people to stop writing to his family (parents, brothers, girlfriend, etc.) to attack them on social networks in connection with his own performances on the mound.

Of course, since he’s pitching so well, it’s easy to understand that these aren’t Blue Jays fans forwarding Yesavage. It’s only a short step to thinking it’s coming from the Bronx.

The pitcher says he’s a man, and if people have a problem with him, let them come and tell him.

If he felt it was important to use his time in front of the media to get his message out, it’s because it’s getting to him – and his family. And people with bad intentions know that there’s nothing like going through your family to get through to an athlete.

Hopefully, this will put a stop to the comments about his family, and allow him to focus on his start in Monday’s game. But it’s doubtful that the people involved got the message, unfortunately.

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MLB in brief: Yusei Kikuchi wants air conditioning | If the Dodgers and Blue Jays go through

Yusei Kikuchi wants air conditioning

This year, the Angels never got their practice room air-conditioning fixed. Come on…

Bryan Woo makes progress

Tomorrow, he’ll throw 30 shots during the day. The goal: to see him in the series later.

By the way, here are today’s line-ups.

Jeff Hoffman happy to have failed

Had he passed his physicals in Atlanta or Baltimore last winter, he wouldn’t be in the Championship Series right now.

Three teams in the final four avoided the best-of-second series

And all four surviving clubs won their divisions.

Cal Raleigh praised

He’s tougher to face than in 2023, clearly.

If the Dodgers and Blue Jays pass

It will be special to see Shohei Ohtani and Roki Sasaki take on the Queen City club.

The schedule for the next few days

Here are the times for the next few days.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s bats.

Here’s how they’re made for the playoffs.

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Chris Bassitt may not be the starting pitcher for game #4

John Schneider has decided that Kevin Gausman will pitch tonight. We knew that.

We also learned, in the last few minutes, that Trey Yesavage and Shane Bieber will pitch games #2 and #3. This is no surprise, since it’s the same as in the other series.

Keeping Bieber on the road, in a hitter’s ballpark to limit home runs, is a good idea. And keeping Yesavage at home, like the other time, is a defensible logic.

By the way, speaking of Yesavage, he’s the fifth-best starter still alive, according to MLB. #NothingLess

The Blue Jays have two other starting pitchers on their hands: Chris Bassitt and Max Scherzer. They weren’t in the lineup against the Yankees, but they’re there for the championship series.

So, what’s the plan for them?

Manager John Schneider said Bassitt was ready to come out of the bullpen at any time. He’s getting better (he missed the end of the season and the first few playoff games with an injury) and he’s ready for anything.

One imagines that the club would like to avoid having to use him in the first two games in order to keep him in the three games in three nights in a row (games 3 to 5) in Seattle.

What about Scherzer? He’s better (neck problems have prevented him from performing well, according to the manager) and the Blue Jays would have more confidence in him to start a game.

The goal? Save him for game #4.

So, listening to the manager, you get the sense that the plan is to get Scherzer to start Game #4, but that they don’t want to commit too quickly. After all, Yesavage and Bieber have been confirmed… but not the match #4 starter.

Interesting, given that Bassitt looked like a Game #4 starter.

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Championship series: Passion MLB team predictions

Only four more Major League Baseball teams are in contention for the big World Series trophy, an unfortunate sign that the end of the 2025 campaign is fast approaching.

And as we did for the first two elimination rounds, Passion MLB’s columnists took a look at the Championship Series in both leagues. Here are the results:

Passion MLB

Mariners vs. Blue Jays

Charles-Alexis Brisebois: Toronto in 6: The last few days have been too chaotic for the Mariners to get the series off to a good start.

Félix Forget: Toronto in 5: The Mariners’ fatigue will catch up with them in this series against an offense that’s really tiring to face.

Maxime Trudeau: Seattle in 7: The Jays will hit their wall against a rival who seems to have his number. In a 4 of 7, Bichette’s absence will be felt. I feel Cal Raleigh is on a mission to take his club to the World Series for the first time in its history.

Pascal Harvey: Toronto in 6. The Mariners’ offense will have to be much more opportunistic if they hope to win against the Jays, and Toronto’s forwards (led by Trey Yesavage) gained in confidence against the Yankees.

Sébastien Berrouard: Seattle in 6. Before the start of the playoffs, I had put the Mariners in the World Series, and I’m continuing in that vein. Even mortgaged by their fifteen-run game, Seattle’s starting rotation and depth will have the upper hand.

Dodgers vs Brewers

Charles-Alexis: Milwaukee in 7. The Brewers have won their last eight games against the Dodgers: they have their number.

Félix: Los Angeles in 6: There’s simply too much talent in California to escape, even if the Brewers will sell their skin dearly.

Maxime: Los Angeles in 6: You’ve got to give it to them, the Dodgers play smart, situational baseball. They’re a team built for the playoffs and their depth will make the difference. They don’t need relievers, they insert starters. Let’s be honest, it’s easy to have more depth than your rival when you have the highest payroll versus 22nd..

Pascal: Los Angeles in 6. Despite an average performance from Shohei Ohtani on forward, the Dodgers have too much talent not to overcome the valiant Brewers. Pat Murphy will need more than just pancakes to advance to the next round.

Sebastien: Los Angeles in 5. With the Dodgers’ biggest challenge now behind them, the Phillies, experience and talent will make the difference.

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Mariners vs Blue Jays: not as big a gap on the mound as you might think

The Seattle Mariners of 2025 are known for their excellent starting pitchers. It’s true that on paper, the Mariners’ rotation is really, really excellent. No one’s taking that away from them.

But what if the Blue Jays weren’t so far behind the Mariners on the mound?

In reality, the Blue Jays (who have home-field advantage) don’t necessarily have to be ashamed of what they have to offer on the mound for the championship series against the Mariners.

Why not? Several reasons.

1. Since August 1, series included, the Mariners have had starters who collectively have a 3.84 earned-run average. The Blue Jays, on the other hand, are at just 3.87. That’s close – closer than you’d think.

If we look only at the starters expected to pitch in the series, we see that for the past two and a half months, it’s been Toronto’s advantage.

Because don’t forget that the excellent Trey Yesavage has only four outings in the Majors, which affects the average very little over a two-and-a-half-month sample.

And Max Scherzer has been part of the statistics since August 1.

2. Bryan Woo is the best starting pitcher in this series. However, he can’t pitch today, as he hasn’t yet recovered from his injury.

How will he look if called upon? Doubts remain.

3. The Blue Jays can line up their rotation to their liking, but the Mariners need to get Bryce Miller pitching on short rest. Ideally, he would have had an extra day off, having pitched on Wednesday.

Note also that he did poorly against the Blue Jays in May: he gave up seven earned runs.

4. What about Monday? Which starting pitcher will be on the mound for the Mariners? The other three starters pitched in Friday’s crazy 15-inning game… and Woo won’t necessarily be in the game.

Once again, a short rest could be in play for a starter. #NotIdeal

5. The Mariners play in a pitcher’s ballpark and the Blue Jays play in a hitter’s ballpark. This doesn’t change anything for the series games, since the teams will be playing in the same stadium.

But it does affect the average starter since August. And it could help Shane Bieber (if he pitches Game #3 in Seattle), Chris Bassitt, Max Scherzer and Jeff Hoffman avoid giving away home runs.

6. Mariners pitchers are mostly right-handed, especially in the rotation. The Blue Jays have an offensive line-up that is much more optimal when a right-hander is pitching. That’s going to hurt the Mariners, no matter how good their pitchers are.

In fact, their only left-hander often used in the bullpen (Gabe Speier) struggled against Detroit. That’ll help get the Nathan Lukes and Addison Bargers of this world playing more often.

7. Since the start of the series, the Mariners’ bullpen ranks eighth out of 12 for earned run average: 4.33. He’s been used for 27 innings over five games, which is a lot… especially bearing in mind the fatigue of Friday’s game.

Obviously, it’s better than the Blue Jays’ bullpen: everyone agrees on that. But Toronto certainly won’t have a bullpen day during the championship series, and still has a few guys who can do well.

I’m not saying this will be a walk in the park for the Blue Jays – I’m really not. But the narrative that the Mariners have the advantage on the mound may not be 100% true.

I’m not ruling out the Seattle Gunners being dominant, of course. But let’s just say they’ll quickly realize that the Blue Jays’ forward is nothing like the Tigers’.

PMLB
  • The Mariners line-up for the championship series.

  • Henry Blanco: only player in history to have played in Seattle, Toronto, Los Angeles and Milwaukee.

  • Two teams without huge budgets in the final four.

  • Who remembers this? It took place in April.

  • Who do you think will make it to the World Series?

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