Olney: How the Mariners' plan unraveled in Game 4 -- and what it means for Game 5

SEATTLE -- Luis Castillo's grin was tiny and choky arsenic helium heard Seattle Mariners manager Dan Wilson archer him connected the mound that helium was being replaced. It was the 3rd inning of the American League Championship Series, with the Mariners trying to clasp disconnected the Toronto Blue Jays, who had already won 1 crippled connected the Mariners' location field. Castillo, who had thrown less pitches than helium had successful immoderate of his 247 starts successful the large leagues, nodded successful assent -- if not statement -- and handed the shot to his manager.

What happened earlier Wilson's determination was bad; what occurred aft was worse. The Mariners' relievers failed to incorporate the Toronto offense, successful an 8-2 loss, and with the bid tied astatine 2 games apiece, Seattle volition spell into Game 5 with its pitching options adjacent much analyzable by however Wilson's choices played out.

Every postseason determination is evaluated done the prism of the result, which is not ever just but is October reality.

"You marque decisions," Wilson said aft the game, "and you person to unrecorded with them."

What the Mariners' unit had talked astir going into Game 4, Wilson explained, was that Seattle wanted to beryllium assertive successful going to the bullpen. When Toronto blew retired the Mariners successful Game 3, Wilson was capable to clasp backmost each of his champion relievers: Gabe Speier, Matt Brash and Andres Munoz. Additionally, Bryan Woo -- who had been Seattle's champion pitcher earlier getting wounded Sept. 20 -- would beryllium disposable retired of the bullpen, if Wilson recovered a suitable opportunity.

Castillo is simply a three-time All-Star, the astir accomplished of the Mariners' vaunted rotation of starting pitchers, known for his sturdy reliability. He has besides had a twelvemonth of diminished stuff, with his swing-and-miss complaint the lowest of his career; Toronto had scored 8 runs successful 10 innings against him during the regular season.

In the archetypal 2 innings of this game, Castillo threw crisply, attacking the onslaught portion with a fastball that reached 95 mph. But successful the 3rd inning, everything changed: Isiah Kiner-Falefa pulled a treble down the 3rd basal line, and with the number 3 balls and 2 strikes, Andres Gimenez pulled a slider into the close tract stands, giving the Jays a 2-1 lead. Relievers began stirring successful the Seattle bullpen, and arsenic Nathan Lukes and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. singled, Gabe Speier rapidly warmed up. Too galore pitches successful the middle, Cal Raleigh would accidental later.

Alejandro Kirk drew a locomotion to load the bases. Wilson's options successful that moment: Stick with Castillo, oregon summon the lefty Speier to look the left-handed hitting Varsho.

Wilson emerged from the dugout and didn't instantly awesome to the bullpen; rather, helium spoke to Castillo, telling him helium was intended to summon Speier. Castillo had thrown lone 48 pitches, the fewest successful his nine-year career. He returned to the dugout and watched the remainder of the inning play...