Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Bryce Miller gave the team exactly what it needed - and more - on Sunday night in Game 1 of the American League Championship Series against the Toronto Blue Jays.

Pitching on just three days rest, Miller went six innings, surrendering just one run on two hits, as the Mariners won 3-1. They are now just three wins away from the first World Series appearance in franchise history.

Miller's heroic effort helped set up the win, but also helped limit the usage of a tired bullpen, which had to help the M's cover a 15-inning marathon in Game 5 of the American League Division Series.

Gabe Speier, Matt Brash and Andres Munoz each threw scoreless frames to help close out the victory.

Miller and the staff helped rewrite history in multiple ways with their performances, as noted by Sarah Langs of MLB.com and Jordan Shusterman of Yahoo! Sports.

Per Langs: 

Bryce Miller is the first pitcher to allow a leadoff home run and complete 6+ innings without allowing another run in a postseason game since David Price (7 IP) for BOS in 2018 World Series Game 5 at LAD (David Freese leadoff HR)

h/t @Theo_DeRosa

Miller gave up a first-pitch home run to Jays' slugger George Springer, but was able to settle in after that, allowing just one more hit the rest of the night. 

And per Shusterman:

2 hits allowed tonight = the fewest the Mariners have ever allowed in a postseason game

previous record low was 3...which just happened a week ago in ALDS Game 2 (and also ALDS Game 3 in 2000)

The M's were also economical with their pitch count, throwing just 100 pitches on the night as a group.

First off, Miller was able to maintain his velocity throughout the start, hitting in the 96-97 mph range even at the end of the outing. Second, he was able to throw his fastball, sinker, slider and his splitter. He threw each offering at least 10 times out of his 76 pitches, keeping the Blue Jays' off-balance and keeping himself unpredictable. 

After the game, fellow M's starter Logan Gilbert said that Miller is at his best when he's able to command all his pitches. Catcher Cal Raleigh complimented his ability to trust his stuff and attack hitters, especially after the first inning, where Miller gave up the home run and had two walks.

After going 12-8 with a 2.94 ERA in 2024, it was a different story for Miller this season. He was on the injured list twice and made just 18 starts, going 4-6 with a 5.68 ERA. Sunday was only his second quality start of the season, but he's now delivered two solid postseason starts.

His performances have also helped cover for the absence of Bryan Woo, who has yet to pitch in the playoffs because of right pectoral inflammation.

Gilbert will be the next M's starter to pitch on short rest, and he'll take the ball on Monday afternoon for Game 2. He threw in relief on Friday night as well, tossing 34 pitches, but he said that he's good to go. It remains unclear what his pitch count will be.

“We talked about it today, and they basically just asked me if I was good to go,” Gilbert said. “Of course I said, ‘Yeah,’ right away. They wanted me to see how I felt in catch play, if my arm felt normal, and it did. It was kind of unusual circumstances a few days ago, but I treat it as a bullpen, or very high-intense bullpen, and hopefully just be feeling good, ready to go.”

First pitch is set for 2:03 p.m. PT.

LATEST PODCAST IS OUT: Brady Farkas is back for the latest episode of the Refuse to Lose podcast, and he's giving a 30-minute episode on what happened in Game 5 of the ALDS, how he almost missed his flight as a result of it, the nice managerial job by Dan Wilson in that game and much more. LISTEN HERE:

COPYCAT LEAGUE: The Seattle Sounders decided to honor the Mariners in their recent goal-scoring celebration. CLICK HERE: 

POLANCO MAKES HISTORY: M's infielder Jorge Polanco just joined Edgar Martinez in unique baseball history, thanks to his game-winning hit in Game 5 of the ALDS. CLICK HERE: 

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