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AL playoff matchups set: Blue Jays host Mariners, Rays visit Guardians

Mary DeCicco / Major League Baseball / Getty

The American League postseason picture is now clear after the Boston Red Sox beat the Tampa Bay Rays in a rain-shortened game Tuesday.

Tampa Bay is officially the No. 6 seed, which means it will begin the playoffs on the road against the 3-seed Cleveland Guardians. The Rays' loss also means the Seattle Mariners claim the No. 5 seed, so they will head to Canada to play the 4-seed Toronto Blue Jays.

Following Tuesday's victory against the Detroit Tigers, Mariners manager Scott Servais confirmed that Luis Castillo would start Game 1 of their wild-card matchup against the Blue Jays at Rogers Centre, according to Ryan Divish of the Seattle Times.

The Blue Jays will counter with right-hander Alek Manoah in Game 1, the team announced on Wednesday.

The 1-seed Houston Astros will face the winner of the Mariners and Blue Jays in the ALDS, while the 2-seed New York Yankees will take on either the Rays or Guardians.

The wild-card series starts Friday and goes through Sunday. Start times were announced on Wednesday:

DATE SERIES 1ST PITCH (ET)
Oct. 7 TB @ CLE 12:07 p.m. 
Oct. 7 SEA @ TOR 4:07 p.m.
Oct. 8 TB @ CLE 12:07 p.m.
Oct. 8 SEA @ TOR 4:07 p.m.
Oct. 9* SEA @ TOR 2:07 p.m.
Oct. 9* TB @ CLE 4:07 p.m.

*if necessary

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