Fans hope Blue Jays will bounce back in Game 2 of ALCS against Mariners

The fight for the American League pennant continues Monday with the Toronto Blue Jays — and the team’s fans — hoping to bounce back after a 3-1 loss to the Seattle Mariners Sunday night. 

On social media, some fans decried the Blue Jays’ cold bats and managerial decisions in that first game, while others shared optimism that the team could pick itself back up in Game 2. 

Though cheers quickly erupted Sunday night after George Springer’s leadoff home run in the first inning, some baseball fans said the team may have started to believe the series would be an easy win against the Mariners. 

Others argued on social media that the team was rusty after three days of rest, while the Mariners were locked in coming off a heated division series against the Detroit Tigers. 

Debate was divided over some of the decisions the Blue Jays made during the game, especially over whether pitcher Kevin Gausman should have been lifted in the 6th inning after giving up his first run.

But it wasn’t just an online post-mortem. There was hope too. Some fans were quick to point out that the Blue Jays also lost Game 1 of the 1992 American League Championship Series (ALCS) and the 1992 World Series, only to become champions that year.

And many posted to remind fans that the battle is far from over, with plenty of baseball left to be played in the best-of-seven series. 

Players say they’re ready after disappointing Game 1

The Blue Jays themselves have also shared a mix of frustration and optimism since losing Game 1.

The scene in the Blue Jays locker room after the loss was quiet, compared to the festivities at Yankee Stadium on Wednesday. 

Blue Jays role player Davis Schneider was critical of the team’s offensive performance Sunday, but said they were “very capable of bouncing back no matter what.”

“One run really isn’t going to cut it,” he said. “It’s a tough team and [the Mariners] are the second best team in the AL [American League] for a reason.”

Star hitter Vladimir Guerrero Jr. said the Mariners “pitched a good game,” but the Blue Jays’ bats could’ve been stronger. 

“We didn’t hit,” he said. “It’s just one game. We haven’t lost the series. We’ll come back to win the next one.”

In the post-game interview, Blue Jays manager John Schneider said the Mariners’ and their pitchers “did a good job of flipping the script,” especially with minimal rest after a 15-inning Game 5 division series victory on Friday. 

“They used a lot of guys in their last game for sure,” he said. “You give them credit for making an adjustment and pitching really well.”

When asked if Sunday’s result will put pressure on starter Trey Yesavage for Monday’s game, Schneider said his rookie pitcher, along with the rest of the team, will be ready. 

“This is going to be a hard-fought series, man. These guys are going to be ready for it,” he said. “I think Trey will be up for it and I think our guys will be up for the challenge to kind of show what we’ve been doing all year round.”

That includes Nathan Lukes, Schneider said, who underwent X-rays and CT scans Sunday to check for a fracture after taking a foul ball to the knee. Lukes is set to return for Monday’s game, said Schneider. 

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Game 2 in Toronto has an earlier start Thanksgiving Monday, with first pitch set for 5:03 p.m. ET. 

Fans in Toronto without tickets can attend outdoor watch parties at David Pecaut Square throughout the ALCS, according to the City of Toronto.