ALDS Notebook: Gilbert to start Game 3 for Mariners

Right-handed pitcher Logan Gilbert will start Game 3 of the American League Division Series on Tuesday night against the Detroit Tigers when the series shifts to the Motor City.

Mariners manager Dan Wilson made the announcement during a pregame press conference ahead of Game 2 on Sunday.

Here’s the Mariners’ lineup for Game 2 of the ALDS

Gilbert was widely expected to be the Game 3 starter ever since the Mariners announced they were going with George Kirby in Game 1 and Luis Castillo in Game 2 – especially after All-Star starter Bryan Woo was left off Seattle’s ALDS roster as he continues to rehab from inflammation in his pectoral muscle.

The 28-year-old Gilbert was Seattle’s opening day starter this season after an All-Star campaign in 2024.

Gilbert posted a 3.44 ERA in 25 starts this year, recording 173 strikeouts and 31 walks over 131 innings. He landed on the injured list with a flexor strain in late April, but returned in mid-June and made every start the rest of the way.

Gilbert finished on a strong note, posting a 2.30 ERA over his five September outings.

“I think he matches up well against this club,” Wilson said. “And with obviously the fastball, but more the split, the slider, really good secondary options against this club. And I think it stacks up pretty well.”

Gilbert allowed three earned runs over 10 1/3 innings in his two starts against the Tigers this season, while striking out 19 of the 45 batters he faced.

On April 1 in Seattle, Gilbert allowed three runs and five hits over five innings in a 4-1 loss to the Tigers. He struck out 10 and walked one.

On July 13 in Detroit, Gilbert allowed no earned runs, two unearned runs and six hits over 5 1/3 innings in an 8-4 win over the Tigers. He struck out nine and walked two.

‘Everybody’s available’ out of the ‘pen

The Mariners’ bullpen got a lot of work in Game 1, with six relievers combined for six innings and 99 pitches in their 3-2, 11-inning loss.

That included two innings of relief from closer Andrés Muñoz, who retired all six batters he faced while pitching a scoreless ninth and 10th. It was the first six-out appearance of Muñoz’s career with the Mariners. His only other six-out appearance came as a rookie with the San Diego Padres in 2019.

But when asked in Sunday’s pregame press conference, Wilson said he anticipates every pitcher in his bullpen to be available for Game 2.

“Yeah, I think everybody’s available,” Wilson said. “This is the time of year where we have to be available, and these guys want the ball, and they want to be in those situations. And so I think we’ll be ready tonight for whatever comes our way again.”

Here’s a look at Seattle’s bullpen and how many innings and pitches each reliever threw on Saturday night:

• RHP Andrés Muñoz – 2 innings, 25 pitches
• RHP Carlos Vargas – 1 inning, 24 pitches
• RHP Matt Brash – 2/3 inning, 17 pitches
• LHP Caleb Ferguson – 2/3 inning, 17 pitches
• LHP Gabe Speier – 1 1/3 innings, 13 pitches
• RHP Eduard Bazardo – 1/3 inning, 3 pitches
• RHP Emerson Hancock – N/A
• RHP Luke Jackson – N/A

Bryce Miller, Seattle’s fifth starter this season, also could be an option out of the bullpen. Miller was expected to work out of the bullpen this postseason, but with Woo not on the ALDS roster, Miller could be in line to start a potential Game 4 on Wednesday.

More on the Seattle Mariners

• What’s next for Seattle Mariners after tough Game 1 loss
• Morosi: Why Mariners’ bullpen now becomes a concern in Game 2
• The Seattle Mariners’ Game 1 loss to Detroit was about one thing
• Seattle Mariners drop Game 1 of ALDS to Tigers 3-2 in extra innings
• Mariners’ Julio Rodríguez hits 1st career playoff HR in Game 1 of ALDS

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