Oh, how the tables turn! The Mariners flew to Toronto on an exhausted note but were able to catch an early 2-0 lead on the road. But since the series went to Seattle, they have dropped two games in front of sold-out crowds at T-Mobile Park. Putting the ALCS at 2-2, Game 5 is as crucial as can be. But with a controversial decision right before the matchup, the Mariners have lost a group of their supporters.

Previously, it was presumed that Bryan Woo would make a comeback from a pectoral strain and start on Friday afternoon. The belief came from the fact that he was not present in the team’s ALDS roster but was in for the ALCS. However, Mariners manager Dan Wilson announced after enduring an 8-2 loss on Thursday that Bryce Miller will take over the mound.

“Obviously, pitched well against Toronto in the first game, and we’re looking forward to giving him the ball tomorrow,” Wilson said Thursday.

The choice is understandable, though.

The 25-year-old All-Star starter, Woo, set a record by beginning the season with 25 consecutive starts of at least six innings. But he has been out due to a right pectoral inflammation that flared up a month ago. In the September 19 game against the Houston Astros, he exited after 5 scoreless innings and 67 pitches. He went 15-7 with a 2.94 ERA in 30 starts during the regular season. With him not on the first postseason roster, he hasn’t pitched with the team recently.

On the other hand, Miller has pitched impressively in the playoffs. In Game 1, he went 1-0 with a decent 2.61 ERA across his two starts, while allowing only one run on two hits over six innings. Limited to a career-low 18 regular-season starts due to multiple incidents of right elbow inflammation, he was only 4-6 with a 5.68 ERA. “I’m excited and it will be a lot of fun to see what it feels like on the (T-Mobile Park) mound,” Miller said.

“It’s something we considered and talked about,” Wilson said of Woo’s uncertain pitch count. “Just getting him in a game will also allow us just to kind of see how he is and where he’s at. And that’s important too. … We’re excited to find a spot for him and get him out there.”

As for Woo, he has clarified on Tuesday that he is ready to get in the game as soon as his name is called. He led the Mariners in wins, innings (186 2/3), and strikeouts (198), and his ERA was the lowest among qualified Seattle starters.

It’s going to be a tense game on Friday, and Miller has a big task ahead of him.

He will be expected to shut down a Blue Jays offense that has already scored 21 runs and has celebrated two consecutive victories at the Mariners’ home.

Andres Gimenez and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. smacked soaring home runs in each of those games, and now Miller will be expected to let this play out the same way on Friday.

Meanwhile, Bryan Woo had established himself as the Mariners’ top ace this season. He will be pitching out of the bullpen on Friday. It’s not like fans doubt Miller’s abilities; they were simply hoping Woo would get the start, adding to the criticism.

Mariners’ last-minute flip has fans upset

Given how fans placed trust in Woo for the intense Game 5 of the ALCS despite him not playing since September, the frustration made sense. “Why has the mariners best pitcher been out over a month? Doesn’t inflammation go down pretty quick? What am I missing?,” a fan noted.

He hasn’t been in action for a full month. But then again, he threw live batting practice on Monday. While that instilled some hope for his full recovery, the team only saw him ramp it up to 25 pitches. Yet, fans feel it’s a risky decision to start Miller instead of Woo. “Is this a joke post? If not, then the situation with the Mariners pitching staff is even worse than we realized.”

Bryce Miller has had quite an inconsistent season until his strong performance in Game 2. On the other hand, Woo is arguably Seattle’s best starter when healthy. He pitched 186.2 innings along with a 2.94 ERA in the regular season. But that’s the thing: ‘when healthy.’ Although he has returned, starting him right away might not be in the best interest of the Mariners, who are trying to win Game 5.

The Mariners’ decision led some fans to believe they can’t win against the Blue Jays anymore. “Thank you, Mariners; it’s been a fun year. We’ll get them next year,” a fan quipped. If the Mariners could, they would have been able to put Woo back out there as their starter for Game 5. If not 5, then maybe Game 6 or 7 back in Toronto if the series extends that far.

Offensively, the Blue Jays have been on fire. Understandably, the Mariners need their best pitcher on the mound to face them. That’s why some fans bluntly showed them the reality with sarcastic remarks like: “Gonna get destroyed tonight, just got off the phone with the hitters. They’re ready.”

The decision left fans guessing that Miller won’t be able to deliver his best. “He’s going to get f—–g shelled.” Well, he’s the same guy who overcame a leadoff homer to Blue Jays’ George Springer on his very first pitch in Game 2. Well, only the Game 5 outcome will tell the rest.