Santander Rejoins Blue Jays Lineup for Crucial Game 3

Outfielder Anthony Santander rejoins the Toronto Blue Jays lineup for Game 3 of the American League Championship Series against the Seattle Mariners. This crucial game takes place on Wednesday, following a Game 2 absence for Santander.
Return of Santander
The 31-year-old will hit cleanup and play right field, positioned behind star Vladimir Guerrero Jr. His performance in the postseason includes a 1-for-3 record with a strikeout in Game 1. Overall, he is 2-for-10 during the AL Division Series against the New York Yankees.
Postseason Performance
- Batting Average: .231
- On-Base Plus Slugging (OPS): .462
- Runs Batted In (RBI): 2
Career Against George Kirby
Historically, Santander has fared well against Mariners starter George Kirby. In his career, he is 6-for-15 against Kirby, boasting two home runs and five RBIs.
Challenges in Previous Season
Last season proved difficult for Santander, as he recorded a slashing line of .175/.271/.294 across 54 games. He hit six home runs and drove in 18 runs but missed significant playing time due to a shoulder injury.
Series Context
The Blue Jays find themselves in a challenging position, trailing 0-2 in the series. Shane Bieber will take the mound for Toronto during this critical matchup.