Before Game 3 American League Championship Series, the Mariners talked of taking advantage of this opportunity. Castillo starts Game 4.
No need to lecture Cal Raleigh and his teammates. They already know.
They are not only well aware of the 48, mostly frustrating years of Seattle Mariners baseball.
And now, off to the Mariners’ first-ever 2-0 lead in a league championship series, two wins from Seattle’s first World Series entering Game 3 Wednesday against the Toronto Blue Jays at packed, rockin’ T-Mobile Park, theese M’s are internalizing that history.
“You can’t really go anywhere around here without hearing that. I think it’s one of those things where you embrace it. You don’t shy away from it,” Raleigh said before Game 3. “I think in a way you’re grateful for where you’re at and very happy.
“But at the same time you’re still hungry, because you’re like, ‘All right, we can do something that’s never been done before here.’”
Raleigh hit his second home run this postseason to spark the Mariners past the Jays in Toronto in Game 1 of the ALCS. That’s on top of the 60 home runs the MVP candidate hit this regular season, setting major league records for a catcher and a switch-hitter, and breaking Ken Griffey Jr.s’ team record.
“This is more than just about me,” he said before Game 3 of the ALCS. “It’s about the guys in that room. It’s about getting this chance, this opportunity, and looking at it like that and not like a burden, like it’s something that we have to do.
“It’s something that is fun, something that is bringing joy to the guys in the clubhouse, and as well as the fans and the city.”
Raleigh said the Pacific Northwest’s passion for this playoff push is making a tangible difference during games.
“You’re feeling it. You feel it when you’re on the field. You feel it when you walk out there and it’s 20, 30 minutes before a game and you can’t see an empty seat,” he said.
“It’s something you can sense and understand how much it means to the city and the fans. And it’s a lot of fun.”
Dan Wilson has been with the Mariners’ franchise since Nov. 3, 1993. That was the day the Cincinnati Reds traded Wilson and closer Bobby Ayala to Seattle for second baseman Bret Boone and pitcher Erik Hanson.
Wilson played the final 17 of his 19-year major-league career as a catcher for the Mariners. Then he was a special assistant and catcher instructor with the team for years, until August 2024. That’s when the M’s named him to replace fired manager Scott Servais.
Wilson, 56, knows more than any man wearing a Mariners uniform in Game 3 Wednesday what this playoff run, and where it can go, means to the Pacific Northwest.
“I mean, it’s exciting,” Wilson said before Game 3. “Just to see the amount of Mariners hats, the amount of Mariner gear you see around town now, that kind of thing is always great, and that’s what makes you feel good about what’s happening.
“But we want it to continue, and so (for Game 3) that’s where our focus turns to, and turns pretty quickly. But to see the city come alive, to see what T-Mobile Park is going to be like (this week) and what it’s been in the Detroit (division) series, it’s really exciting.
“That’s the essence of October baseball.”
Manager Dan Wilson and the Mariners noticeably loose here in Toronto before Game 2 of the ALCS. Chance to go up 2-0 on the Blue Jays. 2:03pm first pitch on Fox TV.
— Gregg Bell (@gbellseattle) October 13, 2025
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Luis Castillo ready for Game 4
Luis Castillo is on a different plan than the rest of the Mariners’ starting pitchers.
Logan Gilbert pitched Game 2 on shorter, three-days’ rest. George Kirby started Game 3 on regular, four days’ rest. Bryan Woo has yet to pitch this postseason because of pectoral inflammation, though he’s ramping up to perhaps pitch Game 5 if it’s necessary Friday in Seattle.
Castillo is starting Game 4 Thursday on extended, five-days’ rest.
He got the final four Mariners outs defensively Friday of the epic, 15-inning win over the Tigers in the deciding game of the division series that got Seattle here to the ALCS. It was the first relief appearance of the 32-year-old veteran’s major-league career.
“It was an experience that I’ve never lived in my major-league career. It was a great experience, that Game 5,” he said. “It was something special that I didn’t think would happen, especially here at home.
“It was definitely special to be a part of that.”
His last start: Oct. 5. He pitched 4 2-3 scoreless innings of Game 2 of the division series. He allowed only one hit, but walked four with three strikeouts before the Mariners eventually beat Detroit 3-2 to even the ALDS at one game apiece.
Thursday, he’ll be pitching to either send the Mariners to their first World Series or to get them one win from it, also for the first time in franchise history.
“It means a lot. Confidence is huge,” Castillo said.
“We’re at that stage where we have to come in, work and give a little bit more of ourselves than we have to do. But for me, you know, it’s the same mentality. Just trying to come out here, trying to compete, do my same routine, stay the same, go out there and battle and battle against some of these batters.
“I think the most important thing for me is, I’ve always said it: Keep that positive mentality.”
Category: General Sports
