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Blue Jays open 3-game series against the Mariners
Dylan Cease brings a 2.37 ERA for Toronto, while Emerson Hancock starts for Seattle as both teams try to improve their playoff position.
On Friday, the Toronto Blue Jays host the Seattle Mariners at Rogers Centre to open a three-game series. Cy Young Award candidate Dylan Cease takes the mound for Toronto against right-hander Emerson Hancock.
Returning to Rogers Centre, the Mariners face the site where their postseason dreams ended 307 days ago in Game 7 of the American League Championship Series against the Blue Jays.
Toronto enters at 65-70 after a 13-2 loss to the Kansas City Royals on Thursday, sitting 3.5 games back of a Wild Card spot; Seattle stands at 64-70.
The Mariners hold a 2-1 advantage in the season series, and winning the series serves as the first tiebreaker for the third AL Wild Card spot. Seattle aims to climb from third in the AL West.
Seeking 81 or 82 wins to clinch a postseason berth, the Mariners face their toughest remaining schedule stretch. Upcoming series against the A's and Rangers will prove critical to their playoff hopes.