The Blue Jays have finalized their roster for the American League Championship Series against the Mariners. They’re sticking with 26 players, featuring 13 pitchers and 13 position players. However, a few new pitchers are stepping in.
Roster Breakdown
Catchers: Alejandro Kirk, Tyler Heineman
Infielders: Addison Barger, Ernie Clement, Andres Gimenez, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Isiah Kiner-Falefa
Outfielders: Nathan Lukes, Anthony Santander, Davis Schneider, George Springer, Myles Straw, Daulton Varsho
Left-handed Pitchers: Mason Fluharty, Eric Lauer, Brendon Little
Right-handed Pitchers: Chris Bassitt, Shane Bieber, Seranthony Dominguez, Braydon Fisher, Kevin Gausman, Jeff Hoffman, Yariel Rodriguez, Max Scherzer, Louis Varland, Trey Yesavage
A big name missing from this roster is Bo Bichette. He’s still recovering from a knee sprain he sustained back in early September. Bichette recently started running again, but reports indicate he struggled during these workouts. Although he has been taking batting practice, the coaching staff still decided not to activate him for the series. There was some talk about using him as a DH or a pinch-hitter, but even that would require him to run, which may not be feasible given his current condition.
It’s important to note that the Blue Jays have been adjusting to life without Bichette. Andres Gimenez has filled in at shortstop, helping the team win the AL East and move past the Yankees in the ALDS without him. Still, Toronto would certainly benefit from Bichette’s powerful bat against the Mariners.
As for the pitching staff, both Chris Bassitt and Max Scherzer are returning after not being part of the last round. Bassitt was sidelined by a back issue, while Scherzer wasn’t a good matchup for the Yankees. The team managed well in the ALDS with only three starters: Gausman, Yesavage, and Bieber. Gausman is set to kick off Game 1, with rookie Yesavage likely starting Game 2. The rest of the rotation remains somewhat flexible, so how Bassitt and Scherzer will be utilized is still up in the air.
Bassitt and Scherzer replace Tommy Nance and Justin Bruihl, both of whom struggled in the ALDS. Nance had a solid regular season but faltered when it mattered most, while Bruihl didn’t fare well either, which led to his selection being reconsidered.
The dynamics of this series are crucial for the Blue Jays. Many analysts believe their success hinges on effective pitching, especially against a deep Mariners lineup. They may need to rely more on their bullpen if starting pitchers can’t go deep into games.
In contrast, the Mariners seem prepared with a strong roster and their own robust pitching staff, leading to an exciting matchup. As the postseason unfolds, all eyes will be on how both teams adjust and perform under pressure.
For more insights on team performances and statistics, you can check out this MLB report.
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