After a strong win in Game 1 of the World Series, the Blue Jays are aiming for a 2-0 lead before heading to L.A. for Game 3 on Monday. However, they will be without star infielder Bo Bichette. This might worry fans, especially since he just returned after a long break that stretched from the end of the regular season into the playoffs. But according to Jays manager John Schneider, this break is the reason for Bichette’s day off.
“He’ll be ready to play today for sure,” Schneider said. “But after the layoff, we didn’t want to push him too hard.”
While Bichette won’t be starting today, he feels better than expected and told Schneider he’s ready to come off the bench if needed. This is great news for the Blue Jays since he’s one of their top hitters. In his first game back, he recorded a single and a walk, boasting an impressive regular-season average of .311 over 139 games.
The decision to rest Bichette is strategic. It allows the Blue Jays to manage his playing time more wisely throughout the series, especially with a travel day tomorrow. In the meantime, Isiah Kiner-Falefa will step in at second base.
Another player to keep an eye on is Chris Bassitt, who is dealing with a cut and blister on his pitching hand. Despite this, he is available to pitch in Game 2. It’s a relief for the Jays since Bassitt has had three solid scoreless outings this postseason. Yet, it’s essential to monitor how the blister affects his grip and control, as even small injuries can have a major impact on a pitcher’s performance.
On a different note, Blue Jays bench coach Don Mattingly may be contemplating retirement after reaching the World Series for the first time in his long career. Friends say retirement is a possibility, but Mattingly remains coy, stating, “You never know.” If he chooses to step down, he would exit the game as a celebrated figure, having earned an MVP award as a player and led teams through challenging seasons as a manager.
The Blue Jays’ journey continues to unfold, and with the right strategies and management, they’re gearing up for a strong series ahead.
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