Right-hander Kevin Gausman gets Game 1 start for Blue Jays in ALCS against Mariners

TORONTO — Right-hander Kevin Gausman will get the start for the Toronto Blue Jays in Game 1 of the American League Championship Series against Seattle.

The Blue Jays confirmed the news Saturday morning when they released their workout plans for the day at Rogers Centre.

Manager John Schneider said shortstop Bo Bichette planned to try base-running drills later in the day for the first time since suffering a left knee sprain five weeks ago.

Bichette, who led the team in hits this season, started light running last week. He also took swings in simulated games.

Schneider held a late-afternoon media availability before a batting practice session in the evening. The team’s series roster was expected to be released Sunday morning ahead of Game 1 that night.

Seattle earned the other berth in the best-of-seven ALCS by outlasting the visiting Detroit Tigers in a 15-inning marathon Friday night.

Gausman earned the win in Toronto’s 10-1 victory over New York in Game 1 of the AL Division Series last weekend. He allowed one earned run and four hits over 5 2/3 innings.

Schneider said it was a “definite possibility” that rookie Trey Yesavage could start Game 2 and Shane Bieber could start Game 3. That would be a repeat of the starting order in the ALDS.

The Blue Jays advanced to the ALCS with a 5-2 win in Game 4 on Wednesday night at Yankee Stadium.

The Mariners, meanwhile, weren’t expected to arrive in Toronto until late Saturday night. Seattle had to use starters Logan Gilbert and Luis Castillo in relief in their deciding win over the Tigers, a game that lasted just under five hours.

Bryce Miller will start Game 1 for the Mariners.

It’s Seattle’s first ALCS appearance since 2001. The Blue Jays last played in Major League Baseball’s final four in 2016.

Game 2 was scheduled for Monday in Toronto. The series will shift to Seattle for Game 3 on Wednesday and Game 4 on Thursday.

If a fifth game is necessary, it would be played Friday at T-Mobile Park. Toronto would host Game 6 on Oct. 19 and Game 7 on Oct. 20 if needed.

The ALCS champion will advance to the World Series against the National League champion. The Blue Jays haven’t won the Fall Classic since 1993.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 11, 2025.