Seattle Mariners name Game 5 starter; Bryan Woo available out of bullpen
After a strong showing in Game 1 on the road against Toronto on Sunday, Bryce Miller is getting the starting nod for Game 5 of the American League Championship Series at T-Mobile Park in Seattle on Friday.
“Obviously, pitched well against Toronto in the first game and we’re looking forward to giving him the ball tomorrow,” Seattle manager Dan Wilson said before Game 4 on Thursday.
In Seattle’s 3-1 win in Game 1, Miller tossed six innings, allowing just two hits, one run, walking three and striking out three.
“I think the last two weeks everything’s felt really good, the body, elbow,” Miller said before Thursday’s Game 4. “Yeah, everything’s felt really good the last couple weeks, plus you factor in it’s playoffs. The last two games have been on the road, so get a little extra adrenaline. But it helps a lot when your body’s feeling good.”
That means Bryan Woo won’t start Game 5 for Seattle. Woo, a 2025 All-Star Game selection for the Mariners, has been working back from a pectoral muscle injury and hasn’t pitched since he left his Sept. 19 start in Houston with muscle tightness.
In 30 starts this season, Woo with 15-7 with a 2.94 ERA. All of his appearances in the major leagues have come as a starter. He’ll be available out of the bullpen for the Mariners.
“Bryan’s going to be available out of the pen, and I think that’s the plan going forward,” Wilson said. “He’s in a good spot, he’s feeling good, and I think at this point that’s where we’re going to see him coming out of the pen.”
Woo hasn’t pitched in a relief role since his college days at Cal Poly.
“It’s a different kind of a role,” Wilson said. “He had a chance to do it in the All-Star Game, so maybe a little bit of experience coming out of a pen. Again, this is the time of year where you ask people to do things that they’re not as comfortable doing or they haven’t done as much.”
Even if he had started, Woo would likely be on a limited pitch count after missing the past month of action.
“Getting him in a game, you know, will also allow us to just kind of see how he is and where he’s at,” Wilson said. “That’s important too. Kind of have to wait and see how these games develop and what happens. Again, we’re excited to find a spot for him and get him out there.”
Miller said he’s ready to pitch at home, after making his last start in Toronto.
“All postseason it’s been electric,” he said. “I’ve been watching from the dugout, I haven’t got to pitch here yet, so yeah, I’m ready to go, I’m excited, and it will be a lot of fun to see what it feels like on the mound.”
LINEUP CHANGES IN THURSDAY’S GAME 4
Seattle is making some lineup changes in Thursday’s Game 4 against the Jays at T-Mobile Park. Leo Rivas enters the stating lineup and will play second base, while cleanup hitter Jorge Polanco moves to designated hitter. Victor Robles will move to the bench. He went 0-for-4 in Wednesday’s Game 3 loss. He is batting .115 in the series.
“I think we have seen some really good at-bats from Leo throughout his time with our club, certainly the game against Detroit picking up that huge pinch hit knock,” Wilson said. “What he’s done at second base is stellar as well. So getting a chance to get him in there, and I think it should work out well.
“Dom has played right field all season for us and handles that well and allows Polo a chance to DH tonight. So just a good time to get Leo in the lineup.”
This story was originally published October 16, 2025 at 3:21 PM with the headline "Seattle Mariners name Game 5 starter; Bryan Woo available out of bullpen."
