Logan Gilbert hasn't fared well against the Toronto Blue Jays throughout his major league career.
Yet the Seattle Mariners will give the ball to Gilbert on short rest to start Game 2 of the American League Championship Series against the Blue Jays on Monday (5:00 p.m. ET / 2 p.m. PT, Sportsnet and Sportsnet+), manager Dan Wilson announced Sunday.
The right-hander pitched two-plus scoreless innings in the Mariners' 15-inning marathon win over the Detroit Tigers in a decisive ALDS Game 5, meaning he will be pitching on two days' rest.
"We talked about it today, and they basically just asked me if I was good to go. Of course, I said yeah right away," Gilbert said about the quick turnaround.
"It was kind of unusual circumstances a few days ago, but I don't know, I treat it as a bullpen or very high-intense bullpen, and hopefully just be feeling good, ready to go."
Gilbert threw only 34 pitches in the outing, well below his standard workload.
"I think the outing the other night in the 15-inning game was really a good side day for him," Wilson said after Seattle's Game 1 win. "The way we're looking at it is he took a side session in the game with 40,000-plus people there. He's ready to go. He's excited. He wants the ball."
In Gilbert's lone appearance against the Blue Jays this season, he allowed nine baserunners and two earned runs over only 4.2 innings and has a 5.24 ERA over six career appearances vs. Toronto.
Still, the 28-year-old has a strong track record both overall and in the post-season.
Gilbert recorded a 3.44 ERA, 173 strikeouts and only 31 walks over 131 innings this season and also has pitched eight innings of one-run ball this October – including the two innings in extras against the Tigers.
2:03