SEATTLE — It’s been four days since George Kirby last took the mound for the Mariners, and when he exited that Game 5 of the American League Division Series against the Tigers, the two teams played for about 2 1/2 more hours, with Kirby watching from the dugout as two of his fellow rotation mates jogged out from the bullpen to help finish off the Mariners’ 15-inning win over the Tigers.
Whatever happens over these next two games — or potentially more — in the best-of-seven series, the Mariners seem prepared. They’ve faced tests all season and into October, cross-country flights and exhausting games. They’ve staked a 2-0 lead in the ALCS with belief in themselves at an all-time high — and an unrelenting focus on the next two games, because, as catcher Cal Raleigh’s shirt stated Monday night in the clubhouse, the “job’s not done.”
Working to the Mariners’ advantage as they eye finishing the job? They’re home again and sending Kirby to the mound for Game 3 on Wednesday, with first pitch scheduled for 5:08 p.m. PT at T-Mobile Park. Luis Castillo is scheduled to pitch Game 4 on Thursday, while Bryan Woo could make his return if the series needs a Game 5 on Friday.
The 27-year-old Kirby posted a 4.21 ERA across 23 regular-season starts, missing the first two months of the season with right shoulder inflammation. On the road, Kirby had a 5.16 ERA in 2025. At home, he held opponents to a 3.38 ERA.
“It’s a great pitchers’ ballpark, but yeah, the crowd is really awesome,” Kirby said. “Every moment, every big pitch, they’re always behind you. As a player, that just gives you a lot of confidence. It eases your mind a little bit that everyone is here cheering for you, supporting you.”
In the ALDS, Kirby made two starts — Games 1 and 5 — pitching five innings each and allowing a combined three runs against the Tigers, with 14 strikeouts, one walk and one hit batter. He didn’t face the Blue Jays this year in the regular season, but he’s had the benefit of watching how the Mariners’ pitchers have attacked the lineup the first two games of this series, holding Toronto to just four runs and eight hits.
“Just [picking] up on some tendencies and how guys are approaching certain at-bats, and you kind of go from there,” Kirby said. “… Definitely watching some games before I go is super helpful.”
Detroit and Toronto were two very different offenses in the regular season. The Tigers’ 23.9% strikeout rate was the fourth-worst mark in MLB; the Blue Jays’ 17.8% K rate was the lowest. They paired that with power and depth throughout the lineup, with superstar Vladimir Guerrero Jr. wielding the ability to change the course of a game — of a series — with one swing. It happened just last week against the Yankees in the ALDS.
So far, Guerrero is 0-for-7 in the ALCS — and keeping him quiet is key to the Mariners’ success.
For Kirby, it doesn’t matter too much what lineup he’s facing. He’ll do his homework on how best to attack hitters, but Kirby will rely mainly on his strengths, with six pitches to mix in but a reliance on his 96 mph four-seam fastball, his sinker and his slider. On Friday against the Tigers, 33 of Kirby’s 66 pitches were sliders, the 50% usage tied with a start on Sept. 3 vs. the Rays for the highest mark in any appearance in his career. Detroit whiffed on the pitch four times but saw nine called strikes for a 39% CSW (called strike and whiff) rate.
“I feel like one through nine, most of those guys are just looking for a located heater first pitch,” Kirby said. “Being able to give them a different look and then kind of use my heater off the offspeed was super helpful, instead of starting with [the fastball]. Sometimes that’s all you need to do: Start with something else and attack from there.”
Kirby will adjust against the Blue Jays. This lineup hit sliders better (.253 average and .406 slugging percentage) than the Tigers (.204 and .368, respectively), for example. Another thing to keep in mind: Toronto loved hitting fastballs this year, slashing .272/.353/.431 against that pitch group. As always, execution will matter. It’s why Seattle’s rotation, the anchor this team is built around, has been so good.
But Kirby also knows what works for him, and more than anything in Game 3, that’s what he’ll rely on.
It’s what the Mariners are counting on, too.
“I’m never going to stray away from what I do well and what my strengths are,” Kirby said. “If I’m able to do that, it’s better than what anyone else is doing at the plate. That’s kind of my mentality.”
