Doubt in the Blue Jays’ Lineup for the Championship Series
Toronto Blue Jays manager John Schneider reported on Saturday that it has not yet been decided whether the team will include shortstop Bo Bichette on the roster for the American League Championship Series. Bichette hasn’t played since suffering a sprain in his left knee on September 6. The player ran for the first time on Wednesday, hit live on Friday, and ran the bases for the first time on Saturday. Game 1 against the Seattle Mariners is scheduled for Sunday night at the Rogers Centre. The Blue Jays have until 10 a.m. on Sunday to finalize their roster. Schneider hinted that the club would not include Bichette on the roster if he is not available to play immediately, although he opened the door to including Bichette if he is not available to play every day.Toronto’s offense didn’t falter without 27-year-old Bichette in the American League Division Series. The Blue Jays scored 34 runs in the four games and punished the New York Yankees’ pitching staff with 23 runs in the first two home games. However, Bichette was one of the team’s top three hitters during the regular season. Bichette, a free agent this winter, recovered from an injury-plagued 2024 season in which he posted a .598 OPS in 81 games, returning to his All-Star level in his platform year. He hit .311, tied for second in the American League, with 18 home runs, 94 RBIs, and an .840 OPS in 139 games, although he was the worst defensive shortstop in the majors according to runs above average and defensive runs saved. Andres Gimenez, previously the team’s starting second baseman, started at shortstop for the Blue Jays in their divisional series victory over the Yankees. Utility player Ernie Clement also played shortstop for Toronto during the regular season after Bichette’s injury. One thing the Blue Jays know for sure is that Kevin Gausman will be the Game 1 starter for the second consecutive series, against Mariners right-hander Bryce Miller. Schneider said Trey Yesavage (Game 2) and Shane Bieber (Game 3) will “very likely” follow Gausman, as they did in the ALDS. The Blue Jays carried 13 pitchers and position players in the ALDS, and Schneider indicated they will do the same in the ALCS. However, the composition could be different, as Games 3, 4, and 5 are scheduled for consecutive days in Seattle and five games in six days are expected to conclude the seven-game series. After carrying only three starters in the ALDS and deploying a bullpen game in Game 4, the Blue Jays could bring Max Scherzer and Chris Bassitt, who finished the season on the injured list with back inflammation, as another possible option to get more innings. Both starters threw in a simulated game earlier in the week at the Rogers Centre.I’m trying to weigh, is he available every day? Is it from the bench? Obviously, you want his bat in the lineup. I think just getting to the point with him and getting his feedback, being part of this, how much, if he’s going to be committed. And if not, OK, and how that affects everyone else we’re going to try to use and deploy.
John Schneider
They both feel good and are definitely ready and available. Different format, obviously, seven games, three in a row, all that kind of stuff. Yeah, I could definitely see them being a part of this.
John Schneider
