After a thrilling 15-inning victory over the Detroit Tigers, the Seattle Mariners advanced to the American League Championship Series. Following the win, Mississauga, Ont., native and Mariners’ first baseman, Josh Naylor, shared his thoughts on playing post-season baseball in Toronto. Naylor expressed that facing his hometown team, the Blue Jays, would be just another challenge to overcome. However, he highlighted his excitement at the prospect of reuniting with former teammates who now play for the Blue Jays, including Myles Straw, Nick Sandlin, Andres Gimenez, and Ernie Clement.
Naylor reminisced about their time together in the Cleveland Guardians organization, emphasizing the bond they shared. Despite being traded from Cleveland, Naylor expressed his joy at being reunited with his former teammates in the post-season. The seamless transition to the Blue Jays for these former Guardians was facilitated by their existing camaraderie and shared experiences.
The presence of multiple former Guardians on the Blue Jays’ roster has created a sense of familiarity and unity within the team. Blue Jays manager John Schneider acknowledged the positive impact of having these players who previously shared a team dynamic in Cleveland. Despite the roster changes, the Guardians managed to secure a playoff spot this year but were eliminated in the American League Wild Card series by Detroit.
As the Mariners took a 2-0 series lead in the ALCS with victories in Toronto, the focus shifted to the upcoming games in Seattle. Naylor expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to reconnect with his former teammates and reminisce about their time together. With the series progressing, the Blue Jays announced that Max Scherzer, a three-time Cy Young Award winner, would start Game 4 against the Mariners in Seattle. Scherzer’s return to the post-season lineup was met with anticipation and optimism from the team’s management, who emphasized his experience and talent on the mound.
