Bryce Miller’s playoff debut comes in a pivotal road game that could clinch the series for the Mariners.

SEATTLE — Bryce Miller will make his postseason debut on Wednesday afternoon in a pivotal game that could send the Mariners to the American League Championship Series (ALCS) for the first time since 2001.

The Mariners got contributions across the lineup en route to an 8-4 win in Game 3 on Tuesday night, taking a 2-1 edge in the Division Series against the Detroit Tigers. Logan Gilbert, the Mariners’ Opening Day starter, was unsurprisingly brilliant on the mound while Eugenio Suarez, J.P. Crawford and Cal Raleigh all hit home runs at Comerica Park.

Wednesday’s win sets the table for a potential series clinch if the Mariners come out on top Thursday afternoon. Miller likely wouldn’t have appeared in this series if Bryan Woo were available, but Woo continues to be out while he deals with a pectoral injury.

Miller’s struggles stood out amongst an elite starting rotation for the Mariners in 2025, as he went 4-6 with a 5.68 earned run average (ERA). Elbow issues limited him to just 18 starts this season as he spent two significant stints on the team’s injured list.

The 27-year-old joined the Mariners when he was selected in the fourth round of the 2021 MLB Draft. Miller made his debut with the team on May 2, 2023 in a 10-strikeout effort against the Athletics.

“In the postseason, you start with a zero ERA, right?” Miller said about taking the mound for Game 4 (h/t MLB.com). “My arm’s felt a lot better since I got off the IL. I found a way to basically manage the inflammation in there from the bone spurs and stuff. I haven’t pitched in 10 days, so I’ve had plenty of rest and I’m good to go.”

Miller was a much stronger performer when he was healthy in 2024, going 12-8 with a 2.94 ERA in 31 starts. If he can re-capture that ability in Wednesday’s start, the Mariners will be in good position to potentially close out the series in Detroit.

If the Mariners fail to win Wednesday, that would set up a winner-take-all Game 5 at T-Mobile Park on Friday.