The Seattle Mariners have named Bryce Miller as the starting pitcher for Game 1 of the American League Championship Series against the Toronto Blue Jays. Miller, who started Game 4 of the ALDS, allowed two earned runs over 4 1/3 innings in that outing. He worked four scoreless innings in his first playoff start but was disappointed to be pulled in the fifth. The Mariners' decision to start Miller in the ALCS opener comes after an elongated thriller in the ALDS, where they used all three of their other starters. Major League Baseball announced the decision on Saturday morning. Kevin Gausman, who started Game 1 of the ALDS, will take the mound for the Blue Jays in Game 1 at Rogers Centre. George Kirby started the 15-inning classic that clinched the Mariners' first ALCS berth since 2001, while Luis Castillo and Logan Gilbert also started games in the series. Miller, 27, missed much of the season with right elbow inflammation and a bone spur, returning to the rotation in August. He was charged with two earned runs in 4 1/3 innings in Game 4 in Detroit, which took place on Wednesday. This means Miller will be pitching on three days' rest for the first time in his career. Bryan Woo, Seattle's All-Star starter, has been sidelined with pectoral inflammation since Sept. 19. Jerry Dipoto, the Mariners' president of baseball operations, said he expects Woo to pitch in the ALCS but has not yet made formal roster decisions. Tyler Kepner, a Senior Writer for The Athletic, is covering the series. He previously worked for The New York Times and has authored several best-selling books on baseball history.
