After a thrilling 15-inning victory over the Detroit Tigers, the Seattle Mariners secured their spot in the American League Championship Series. Following the win, Mississauga, Ont., native and Mariners’ first baseman, Josh Naylor, shared his thoughts on potentially facing the Toronto Blue Jays in the post-season. Naylor acknowledged that playing against the Blue Jays would be just another challenge to overcome but expressed excitement at the prospect of reuniting with former teammates from the Cleveland Guardians organization who now play for Toronto.
Speaking to Sportsnet at Seattle’s T-Mobile Park, Naylor praised his friends on the Blue Jays roster, including Myles Straw, Nick Sandlin, Andres Gimenez, and Ernie Clement, whom he referred to as “my boys.” The camaraderie among the former Guardians, now part of the Blue Jays team, added a personal touch to the upcoming series.
The transition of these players to Toronto took various paths, with Clement signing a minor-league deal, Gimenez and Sandlin being acquired through trades, Straw joining in a separate deal, and Bieber being picked up before the trade deadline. The bond between the former Guardians players has helped create a familiar and supportive atmosphere within the Blue Jays organization.
Shane Bieber, who will be starting Game 3 for the Blue Jays, mentioned how the presence of his former teammates has facilitated his adjustment to the new team. The cohesive environment in the clubhouse has made the transition seamless for all the ex-Guardians now playing for Toronto.
Manager John Schneider highlighted the positive impact of having multiple former Guardians players on the Blue Jays team, noting that it has enhanced team cohesion. Despite the changes in personnel, the Guardians managed to make the playoffs this year but were eliminated in the American League Wild Card series by Detroit.
As the Mariners took a 2-0 lead in the ALCS against the Blue Jays with victories of 3-1 and 10-3 in Toronto, Naylor expressed his delight in reconnecting with his old friends during the games at Rogers Centre. The shared memories and friendships from their time together in Cleveland remain cherished by Naylor and his former teammates.
In a strategic move, three-time Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer will start Game 4 of the ALCS for the Blue Jays in Seattle. Scherzer, who was activated after missing the Division Series, aims to contribute to the team’s postseason success. Manager Schneider emphasized Scherzer’s readiness and highlighted his Hall of Fame caliber and experience, expressing confidence in the veteran pitcher’s abilities on the mound.