Santander’s History Against Kirby: A Statistical Advantage?

That first encounter wasn’t a fluke. Santander tagged Kirby again the following season with another two-run blast. Over his career, he’s a remarkable 6-for-15 (.400) against the right-hander, boasting the most at-bats against Kirby of any Blue Jays hitter. This wealth of experience is particularly valuable as Toronto seeks to overcome the Mariners’ formidable pitching staff.

Kirby enters Wednesday’s game at T-Mobile Park riding a wave of momentum, having limited the Detroit Tigers to just three runs over 10 innings across two starts in the AL Division Series. He’s known for his aggressive approach, consistently attacking hitters. “He goes after the hitters,” Santander confirms. “You have to be ready to attack.”

While the Blue Jays didn’t face Kirby during the regular season, they managed a combined eight runs against him in two matchups last year. Manager John Schneider emphasizes Kirby’s strengths: “Similar to all their pitchers, he’s got good stuff, a good fastball, and can locate it up and down. It’s a staff that kind of runs into each other in terms of their profile and stuff. So, he’s going to come after you.”

Decoding Kirby’s Arsenal: Four-Seam, Sinker, and Slider

Kirby’s primary pitches include a four-seamer, sinker, and slider. He strategically adjusts his approach based on the batter’s handedness, favoring his 96.2-mph sinker and slider against right-handed hitters, while leaning more on his four-seamer and slider against lefties. However, he’s also demonstrated a willingness to deviate from the norm, as evidenced by throwing his slider 50% of the time during a decisive Game 5 against the Tigers.

Blue Jays infielder Isiah Kiner-Falefa, who has managed just one hit in 10 career at-bats against Kirby, notes, “His slider is a tough pitch. He’s really tough on righties, being able to throw an elite four-seam and also an elite sinker. That’s what a lot of their pitchers do – they have special four-seams.” The Blue Jays struggled to make contact against Kirby’s four-seamer in previous matchups, facing 36 in Game 1 and 38 in Game 2, and recording only four hits off the pitch. Adjusting to this pitch will be crucial.

Kirby’s command is also exceptional, with a walk rate of just 5.5%, placing him in the 89th percentile of MLB pitchers. Kiner-Falefa adds, “I’ve never seen a pitcher get so mad whenever they walk somebody. I’ve seen him walk someone before and he really loses it. Like that’s when he really, really gets mad. So, yeah, he attacks and, in my opinion, he is one of the best in the league.”

Seattle’s Pitching Philosophy: First-Pitch Strikes and Weak Contact

Beyond Kirby’s individual prowess, the Mariners’ overall pitching strategy presents a challenge for the Blue Jays. Seattle prioritizes establishing first-pitch strikes, aiming to induce weaker contact. “That is what we talk about a lot as an organization is winning that 0-0 pitch,” explains Mariners manager Dan Wilson. “With the hope being that even if it’s a team that doesn’t strikeout as much, you’re hoping to get weaker contact. When you’re ahead in the count, you’re going to get weaker contact.”

Schneider acknowledges this approach, noting that the Mariners consistently locate pitches in “safe areas.” The Blue Jays will need to be deliberate and aware of this tendency. Santander, who is expected to be in the lineup despite a sore back, agrees, emphasizing the importance of a team-wide approach focused on making good contact early in the count.

What adjustments will the Blue Jays make to counter Seattle’s aggressive pitching? And can Santander’s unique ability to recall past at-bats provide a crucial advantage against a dominant Kirby?

Frequently Asked Questions About Anthony Santander and George Kirby

• What is Anthony Santander’s batting average against George Kirby? Santander boasts an impressive .400 batting average (6-for-15) against Kirby throughout his career.
• How important is George Kirby to the Seattle Mariners’ success? Kirby is a key component of the Mariners’ pitching staff, known for his command and aggressive approach.
• What pitches does George Kirby primarily throw? Kirby’s arsenal consists of a four-seamer, sinker, and slider, which he varies based on the batter’s handedness.
• What is the Seattle Mariners’ pitching philosophy? The Mariners prioritize establishing first-pitch strikes to induce weaker contact and gain an advantage in the count.
• Has Anthony Santander faced George Kirby this year? No, the Blue Jays did not face Kirby during the 2024 regular season, but they did score eight runs against him in two games last year.
• What makes George Kirby such a difficult pitcher to face? Kirby’s exceptional command, velocity, and pitch movement, combined with his competitive fire, make him a challenging opponent.