Mariners name Bryce Miller ALCS Game 5 starter

SEATTLE – Right-hander Bryce Miller will start Game 5 of the American League Championship Series on Friday, Seattle Mariners manager Dan Wilson said Thursday.

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Miller will take the mound on normal rest following his strong start in the Mariners’ Game 1 win Sunday. The third-year big leaguer tossed six innings of one-run ball, allowing just two hits and three walks while striking out three to earn the victory.

“Obviously, pitched well against Toronto in the first game, and we’re looking forward to giving him the ball tomorrow,” Wilson said before Game 4 at T-Mobile Park.

Miller also started Seattle’s AL Division Series Game 4 loss. He allowed two runs on four hits and struck out two over 4 1/3 innings of work.

Miller spent two stints on the injured list this year while dealing with a bone spur and inflammation in his right elbow. His fastball velocity was as good as it has been all year in Game 1 of the ALCS, with his four-seamer and sinker both averaging 96.2 mph, both up at least 1.4 mph over his season average.

“Everything’s felt really good the last couple weeks, plus you factor in it’s playoffs,” Miller said. “The last two games have been on the road, so get a little extra adrenaline. But it helps a lot when your body’s feeling good. So, yeah, I’m happy with the way the elbow and my body feels right now.”

Friday’s matchup will be the Texas A&M product’s third career postseason appearance, but first at his home ballpark. It could also be a clinching game for the Mariners, who lead the series 2-1 entering Thursday’s Game 4.

“All postseason it’s been electric,” Miller said of T-Mobile Park. “… I’m ready to go, I’m excited, and it will be a lot of fun to see what it feels like on the mound. But the fans have been great and it’s been a lot of fun playing here and having them behind us.”

Toronto announced Thursday that Kevin Gausman, who started Game 1 opposite Miller, will be its Game 5 starter. Gausman allowed two runs on three hits and one walk while striking out 5 2/3 innings in the series opener.

The choice to go with Miller as the Game 5 starter comes after there was some thought that Bryan Woo could make his return from a right pectoral inflammation to make the start, which would be his first game action in nearly a month.

However, the plan for the Mariners is to use Woo out the bullpen as he’s expected to have a limited pitch count. The right-hander went out to the bullpen during the third inning of Wednesday’s Game 3 loss but did not enter the game.

“Bryan’s going to be available out of the pen, and I think that’s the plan here going forward,” Wilson said. “He’s in a good spot, he’s feeling good, and I think at this point that’s where we’re going to see him coming out of the pen.”

Woo, a first-time All-Star, posted a 15-7 record with a 2.94 ERA and 0.93 WHIP while piling up career highs of 198 strikeouts and 186 2/3 innings pitched this season. He last pitched Sept. 19 in Houston, a start in which he exited early with the pec issue.

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Woo has been a starter since the Mariners drafted him in the sixth round of the 2021 draft out of Cal Poly, but has some experience pitching out of the bullpen. He spent the 2020 and 2021 campaigns in a relief role in college.

“This is the time of year where you ask people to do things that they’re not as comfortable doing or they haven’t done as much,” Wilson said. “But he’s got a wealth of people that will help him. (Luis Castillo), Logan Gilbert did it recently, they can help. So I think he’ll be in good shape and, again, I think he’s excited to get back out there.”

Game 4 of the ALCS between the Seattle Mariners and Toronto Blue Jays is set for a 5:33 p.m. first pitch Thursday night at T-Mobile Park. Extended pregame on Seattle Sports will begin at 2 p.m., with the official Mariners Radio Network pregame show starting at 4:30 p.m. The TV broadcast will be on FS1. Click here for details on how to tune into Mariners Radio Network broadcasts from Seattle Sports.

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