Mariners delayed getting to Toronto after marathon ALDS Game 5

TORONTO — Following their 15-inning marathon victory to close out the American League Division Series over the Tigers and a postgame celebration that seemed slightly subdued, perhaps due to physical fatigue and a long flight looming the next day, the Mariners got to deal with struggles of modern travel like the rest of us. Well, sort of.

The Mariners’ two charter planes — one for the players, big-league staff and front office, and another for families and remaining staff — were delayed getting out of Seattle by a couple of hours Saturday.

The plane with the families and staff actually left before the plane that was booked for the players.

The Mariners wouldn’t provide details for the delays, but the players weren’t scheduled to arrive in Toronto until after 8 p.m. ET. That gave some players extra time at T-Mobile Park to get treatment or relax on the couches and watch football. They weren’t searching for seats in a crowded Sea-Tac terminal to eat their Sbarro slice and drink overpriced water.

Given their schedule, the team wasn’t planning to have a regular workout on Saturday evening. The Blue Jays were on the field from 4-6 p.m.

“It is a quick turnaround, no question,” Wilson said before the flight. “But I think we had a great chance to celebrate last night. It was a great moment here at the ballpark. Fans were absolutely incredible from beginning to end last night, so it was nice to enjoy that. But it quickly goes, and you wake up the next day, and it’s about preparing for what’s ahead.

“There were even conversations last night about what’s ahead. Our guys will be ready. We’ll get there tonight, get some rest, and we’ll be ready to go.”

Blue Jays manager John Schneider watched the Mariners finally defeat the Tigers in a game that took 4 hours, 58 minutes, ending around 1 a.m. Eastern time.

“I was tired, man,” he said. “It went all the way through my dinner with my wife and back home at the condo. It was entertaining, for sure. But glad I wasn’t part of that one. That’s a big-time baseball game right there.”

He probably wasn’t sad to see both teams stretch the game to 15 innings, knowing the winner’s pitching staff would be wrecked.

“That was a hell of a game,” he said. “There was so many moving parts. Yeah, you can see we’re in the postseason when you get into extra innings without the runner at second, you can get into some really, really tricky situations. I thought it was a hell of a baseball game from both teams and from both managers. It kept me on the edge of my seat.”

Bo knows?

The Blue Jays are hoping to add Bo Bichette to their ALCS roster and have him contribute. The All-Star shortstop is working his way back from a sprained knee.

He ran the bases at the Rogers Centre on Saturday, while also participating in the team workout.

“We’re trying to weigh out — I’m trying to weigh out: Is it every day? Is it off the bench?” Schneider said. “Obviously you want his bat in the lineup. I think just kind of getting to this spot with him and getting his feedback, him being part of it, how much, if at all, he’s going to be compromised.”

Roster decisions

Schneider didn’t completely confirm the final details on Toronto’s postseason roster and pitching plans. But he said they are leaning toward keeping it to 13 pitchers and 13 position players. The team could add either Max Scherzer or Chris Bassitt or both to the pitching staff. Both have extensive postseason experience and were left off the ALDS roster. They have continued to throw bullpen sessions and simulated games to be ready to start in the series.

“They’re both feeling good and are definitely ready and available,” Schneider said. “Different format, obviously, seven games, three in a row, all that kind of stuff. Yeah, could definitely see them being part of it.”

Toronto will start Kevin Gausman in Game 1. Schneider was asked if they would go with rookie Trey Yesavage in Game 2 and veteran Shane Bieber in Game 3.

“Most likely,” he said. “That’s kind of where we’re at right now. Nothing definitive yet. I think that could be a definite possibility.”

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