Seattle Mariners pitcher Bryce Miller started three days of rest for the first time in his career on Sunday evening during Game 1 of the American League Championship Series. Fans watching wouldn’t have guessed that.
On Friday, the Mariners used three of their starters in a 15-inning classic in Game 5 of the American League Divisional Series against the Detroit Tigers. Seattle starting pitchers Luis Castillo and Logan Gilbert pitched in relief of George Kirby during the 3-2 win. Fellow starting pitcher Bryan Woo (pectoral) has returned to the 26-man ALCS roster, but was not ready for Game 1 against the Toronto Blue Jays.
With Seattle’s bullpen depleted, Miller – who last started in a 9-3 Game 4 loss to Detroit in the ALDS – was thrust into the starting lineup for Game 1. Despite the limited rest, the 27-year-old was boosted.
A short rest didn’t bother Bryce Miller
“I’m excited,” Miller said prior to Game 1, via Daniel Kramer of MLB.com. “Yeah, I’m ready to go. Pitching in the playoffs is something you dream about, and just getting the opportunity to get us going and get us going early and set the tone is super meaningful.”
Mariner fans should have been less excited about Miller’s start. He missed most of the season due to right elbow inflammation. After his return in August he had a hard time.
The pitcher had a 4-6 record and posted a career-worst 5.68 ERA in 18 regular season starts. In Game 4 of the ALDS, he allowed four hits and two runs. For some reason, though, Mariners manager Dan Wilson indicated Miller would perform against Toronto.
“We’re happy to hand him the ball,” Wilson told Kramer. “We’ll take him as far as he can.”
Wilson’s instincts proved correct. Miller was brilliant in Game 1, except for allowing a home run to Toronto right fielder George Springer in the bottom of the first inning. In six innings pitched, he allowed just two hits, struckout three and posted an ERA of 2.61.
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