Baseball

The Blue Jays looked like the Yankees last night
Charles-Alexis Brisebois
The Blue Jays looked like the Yankees last night
Credit: NNN

It was looking good for the Blue Jays.

Last night, with the club leading 6-1, it was easy to believe that John Schneider's men would have their chance to sweep the division series against the Bombardiers.

But that didn't happen.

In a 9-6 setback for the Birds, the Yankees scored eight times in a row. The local club's sense of urgency was palpable, let's face it. So much the better for the show – and for Aaron Boone's job.

So instead of thinking that the Blue Jays won the series without Bo Bichette or that Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is really on fire, the story is completely different.

Why? Because the Blue Jays looked like the Yankees yesterday. And that's no compliment for a club normally renowned for its excellent defensive play.

Defensively, the club had its worst game in a long time. Isiah Kiner-Falefa got the ball rolling in the first inning on a base-roller. Addison Barger fell victim to the wind when he just had to leave the ball to Davis Schneider.

We can also mention Anthony Santander, who has no idea how to dive (couldn't George Springer have played defensively, for one game?) and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. who was soft on a roller that led to the Yankees' eighth run.

The result? Not only did it allow the Yankees to score runs, it put pressure on a pitching corps that didn't need it. Absolutely not, in fact.

Shane Bieber and the relievers who showed up in the game weren't helped by the Blue Jays' defensive players, but they didn't exactly get the job done, either.

MLB

And let's just say that since Trey Yesavage's departure in game #2, the Blue Jays relievers have reminded us that it was normal to have doubts about them. Very normal, in fact.

Remember that seven relievers were used on Sunday, after Yesavage.

MLB

In three games, only three of the ten relievers did not give an earned run: Jeff Hoffman, Yariel Rodriguez and Seranthony Dominguez. The other seven gave up between one and three.

Not ideal, you say?

The fact that six relievers were used yesterday means that, on the heels of a day when the club will be relying on its bullpen to win, only four pitchers are sure to be fresh.

We're talking about the following guys: Jeff Hoffman, Seranthony Dominguez, Eric Lauer and Justin Bruihl. The others will have to go two-for-two if they're called upon to pitch at Yankee Stadium.

Do the Yankees, who will have Cam Schlittler pitching, have a possible path to victory? Yes, even if Schlittler didn't pitch well in his start this season against the Blue Jays.

Will Kevin Gausman pitch? Possibly. Should the club (I say this knowing it won't happen) send a pitcher to the injured list so they can insert a Chris Bassitt or a Max Scherzer? I say no for MadMax, but Bassitt…

So it won't be easy for the Blue Jays, who will have Louis Varland pitch to start the game and then see what happens. But even so, they must remember that even if the tide has turned, it's the Yankees who will face elimination tonight.

But let's just say that the margin for manoeuvre is slim. And that's why everyone will be available on the mound tomorrow.

PMLB
  • A final four-game day today.
MLB
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This content was created with the help of AI.

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