[ALDS GM 4] Blue Jays (Varland) vs Yankees (Schlittler): 10/8/25, 7:08pm

[Laika]

A lot being said about the Jays having some overall philosophy of making contact

I just see it as "coaching to the player" and not trying to have an overall philosophy

They certainly don't tell Springer, Varsho, Santander, or Barger to just put the ball in play 

Just a diverse lineup with good player-targeted and specific coaching going on 

The Yankees, on the other hand, are much more of a one-dimensional team. They have so many Three True Outcome players. Some coaching and some team assembly there. 

#1 in HR and #1 in BB and #6 in K rate (as in, highest). That's the Yankees. That's how you build an elite offence over 162 games that is just not guaranteed to show up in any one playoff series. 

There is something to be said about having lineup diversity. Toronto can beat you in a lot of different ways. They can get to a lot of different pitchers in a lot of different ways. 

The Yankees had too many players that couldn't do X and Y. Couldn't hit a changeup. Couldn't hit a lefty. etc. 

[Eat My Shatkins]

6 minutes ago, Olerud363.354 said:

Wasn't too long ago, maybe even 3 weeks ago that the narrative was that hitting for average and contact wouldn't work in the 2020s during the season because of the shift and wouldn't work in the playoffs because it's too hard to string 3 hits together.  

Last night no homers and strung together multiple hits with other contact (sac fly, the Chisholm error).    Then several other multi-run rallies without homers in game 1, 2, and 3.

That being said Jays hit for good power in the series too, and no one way is ever better than another for same amount of runs scored.   Like if you consider an 800 run offense one built on a .265 average and contact, and another on 250 homers both will be as good in the playoffs.

Just go back to 2021 Atlanta Braves.  Same runs scored in regular season as 2025 Jays.  Won world series with Adam Duvall and Joc Pederson and Darby Swanson (Freddie Freeman too) forming a .245 240 homer team.

 

Yes, the Jays offense is a well rounded and well oiled machine that can beat you several different ways.

[neverbeenhere]

10 hours ago, thatoneguy said:

I really really love that it was Chisholm's error that f*cked them in the end.

Like the error by Odor 

[Alejandro Murphy]

Forgive me if I am looking ahead while everyone else including myself are still on cloud 9 

…but this occurred to me and it would be interesting if any slumping sluggers out there or any hitter who historically has been struggling with their approach on the plate will have an opportunity for a full spring training under the tutelage of Dave Popkins, Lou Iannotti and Hunter Mense. 

would it be neat if they turn around their bleak season prior like what these coaches have done to all of the Jays hitters during this magical year.

[EnglishJay]

Thank you guys (or otherwise)

Read this thread front to back while I was 'at work' today and it's truly heartwarming...

I was too knackered and nervous to stay up and watch the game live last night but had the biggest smile on my face when I saw the score this morning... absolutely delighted for all of you.

More games to win yet...who knows? GO JAYS GO!

PS...I'm going to claim at least partial credit for the juju hex on Chas Jizzum

[max silver]

26 minutes ago, Olerud363.354 said:

Wasn't too long ago, maybe even 3 weeks ago that the narrative was that hitting for average and contact wouldn't work in the 2020s during the season because of the shift and wouldn't work in the playoffs because it's too hard to string 3 hits together.  

Last night no homers and strung together multiple hits with other contact (sac fly, the Chisholm error).    Then several other multi-run rallies without homers in game 1, 2, and 3.

That being said Jays hit for good power in the series too, and no one way is ever better than another for same amount of runs scored.   Like if you consider an 800 run offense one built on a .265 average and contact, and another on 250 homers both will be as good in the playoffs.

Just go back to 2021 Atlanta Braves.  Same runs scored in regular season as 2025 Jays.  Won world series with Adam Duvall and Joc Pederson and Darby Swanson (Freddie Freeman too) forming a .245 240 homer team.

 

The beauty of the Blue Jays offense is that they are able to string together plenty of hits to score without hitting home runs. When the home run bats come out they are capable of completely steamrolling their opponents.

[John_Havok]

1 hour ago, SeranthonySantander said:

Is it time to move on from Boone?

If there's one guy you can't hang this on, it's Boone. I kind of agree with A-Rod in that regard. He didn't assemble a team with 5 DHs, 3 LH catchers, extremely limited flexibility and wildly inconsistent defense. 

If you look at Yankee's players, there's very few well-rounded players, but many that do 1 thing really f***ing well, and get exposed when their weakness is targeted. 

That's not to say the Jays don't have those types either, there's just fewer of them, and the skillsets of the rest of the roster cover them up incredibly well. 

[Orgfiller]

14 hours ago, Omar said:

Kirk has been a dud this series

The guy with the two homeruns in game 1?

[G-Snarls]

10 hours ago, thatoneguy said:

Pedro's got our (particularly Vlad's) backs too lol.

Hmmm

Two all-time great Dominican players who played for the Red Sox have Vladdy and the Jays backs when we beat the Yankees...

Imagine that :)

[Jays24]

5 hours ago, jaysblue said:

Who would you folks rather play? Seattle or Detroit?

Its not even a debate, Detroit will only have Skubal for Game 3 and 7.  They are BY FAR the less scarier team.  

Seattle is frigging good.

[Eat My Shatkins]

Jays in the ALDS:

 

Clement 324 wRC+

Vlad 324 wRC+

Varsho 302 wRC+

Schneider 188 wRC+

Straw 167 wRC+

Lukes 130 wRC+

Kirk 123 wRC+

Barger 109 wRC+

Springer 89 wRC+

Giminez 84 wRC+

Santander 7 wRC+

IKF -100 wRC+

[G-Snarls]

Do we wish Santander had just stayed off the active roster to end the season?

If Bo can DH do we leave Santander out for the ALCS?

I mean, he felt on the verge of hitting some hard balls but it just didn't happen

[Jays24]

3 minutes ago, G-Snarls said:

Do we wish Santander had just stayed off the active roster to end the season?

If Bo can DH do we leave Santander out for the ALCS?

I mean, he felt on the verge of hitting some hard balls but it just didn't happen

Santandar had some good ABs but we're in a results matter only part of the season.  His name still holds importance so at worst, he will be a pinch hitter off the bench if Bo is ready to DH.  You just hope that with every passing game, Santandar works off the rust to return to who he has been.  

[GoBlue41]

6 minutes ago, G-Snarls said:

Do we wish Santander had just stayed off the active roster to end the season?

If Bo can DH do we leave Santander out for the ALCS?

I mean, he felt on the verge of hitting some hard balls but it just didn't happen

I think Santander has hit the ball pretty hard on multiple occasions these last few games. Just happened to be right at people. I think he looks pretty good honestly and would like to see him in the ALCS. He has had some great at-bats seeing a lot of pitches and increasing the pitch counts too,  His defense isn't great but it would be nice to have his bat coming off the bench to pinch hit in certain situations. 

[max silver]

4 minutes ago, GoBlue41 said:

I think Santander has hit the ball pretty hard on multiple occasions these last few games. Just happened to be right at people. I think he looks pretty good honestly and would like to see him in the ALCS. He has had some great at-bats seeing a lot of pitches and increasing the pitch counts too,  His defense isn't great but it would be nice to have his bat coming off the bench to pinch hit in certain situations. 

Santander also had several near misses on barely foul balls he hit very hard as well. I think he's having fantastic AB's in the post season but the timing just hasn't quite come around yet. 

[G-Snarls]

4 minutes ago, GoBlue41 said:

I think Santander has hit the ball pretty hard on multiple occasions these last few games. Just happened to be right at people. I think he looks pretty good honestly and would like to see him in the ALCS. He has had some great at-bats seeing a lot of pitches and increasing the pitch counts too,  His defense isn't great but it would be nice to have his bat coming off the bench to pinch hit in certain situations. 

If Bo comes back do you punt IKF to keep Santander?  Would the team actually do that?

[hanton]

2 hours ago, Laika said:

A lot being said about the Jays having some overall philosophy of making contact

I just see it as "coaching to the player" and not trying to have an overall philosophy

They certainly don't tell Springer, Varsho, Santander, or Barger to just put the ball in play 

Just a diverse lineup with good player-targeted and specific coaching going on 

The Yankees, on the other hand, are much more of a one-dimensional team. They have so many Three True Outcome players. Some coaching and some team assembly there. 

#1 in HR and #1 in BB and #6 in K rate (as in, highest). That's the Yankees. That's how you build an elite offence over 162 games that is just not guaranteed to show up in any one playoff series. 

There is something to be said about having lineup diversity. Toronto can beat you in a lot of different ways. They can get to a lot of different pitchers in a lot of different ways. 

The Yankees had too many players that couldn't do X and Y. Couldn't hit a changeup. Couldn't hit a lefty. etc. 

"coaching to the player"

Yep. That in itself is a philosophy and if you search Popkins hitting philosophy or something similar there are quotes of him mentioning coaching to the player... 

 

[G-Snarls]

13 hours ago, Barrelsandbombs said:

****ing finally! It's been a long 9 years but ALCS baseball is finally back in Toronto.

So excited 

And I get to be there!!

Woohoo

[Governator]

44 minutes ago, GoBlue41 said:

I think Santander has hit the ball pretty hard on multiple occasions these last few games. Just happened to be right at people. I think he looks pretty good honestly and would like to see him in the ALCS. He has had some great at-bats seeing a lot of pitches and increasing the pitch counts too,  His defense isn't great but it would be nice to have his bat coming off the bench to pinch hit in certain situations. 

 

Yea the eye test said Santadar was very close to breaking out all series.  I thought he had good at bats and probably burned more pitches per ab than anyone or close to it (I'll wait for someone to correct me and tell me I'm stupid)

[Anal Hershiser]

1 hour ago, G-Snarls said:

Do we wish Santander had just stayed off the active roster to end the season?

If Bo can DH do we leave Santander out for the ALCS?

I mean, he felt on the verge of hitting some hard balls but it just didn't happen

Assuming Bo can only DH and Bassitt replaces Briuhl, who do you drop for Bo? Nance?

[G-Snarls]

30 minutes ago, Governator said:

 

Yea the eye test said Santadar was very close to breaking out all series.  I thought he had good at bats and probably burned more pitches per ab than anyone or close to it (I'll wait for someone to correct me and tell me I'm stupid)

No man, you're smart and you're RIGHT

[BatFlip]

1 hour ago, G-Snarls said:

If Bo comes back do you punt IKF to keep Santander?  Would the team actually do that?

With the ABs Santander was having, I think he might be on the verge of a break-out.  

If Bo comes back to play in the field, I think you have to punt IKF and you shouldn't think twice about it.

[GoBlue41]

1 hour ago, G-Snarls said:

If Bo comes back do you punt IKF to keep Santander?  Would the team actually do that?

Yes.  Hope so. :) 

[Anal Hershiser]

1 hour ago, G-Snarls said:

If Bo comes back do you punt IKF to keep Santander?  Would the team actually do that?

If Bo can only DH I don't see us leaving IKF off. Limits our IF defense too much. I think we'd have to drop a reliever

[Stangstag]

2 hours ago, G-Snarls said:

Do we wish Santander had just stayed off the active roster to end the season?

If Bo can DH do we leave Santander out for the ALCS?

I mean, he felt on the verge of hitting some hard balls but it just didn't happen

I liked what i saw from Santander with the bat in the ALDS. Saw a lot of pitches even if he didn't produce. Definitely worth a roster spot if not getting full-time at bats. But he probably SHOULD be in the lineup everyday, since he is easily the biggest power threat we have and he just signed a long-term deal.

[Omar]

2 hours ago, Jays24 said:

Its not even a debate, Detroit will only have Skubal for Game 3 and 7.  They are BY FAR the less scarier team.  

Seattle is frigging good.

Skubal for only two games is huge though. Tough pick. 

[Jimcanuck]

Punt IKF to the moon regardless

[Brownie19]

50 minutes ago, Anal Hershiser said:

If Bo can only DH I don't see us leaving IKF off. Limits our IF defense too much. I think we'd have to drop a reliever

3rd:  Barger, Clement

SS:  Gimenez, Clement

2nd:  Clement, Schneider

1st:  Vlad, Clement, Tony?

I think that's plenty of depth myself. 

They either lose a swing hitting power bat in Tony, or they lose a late inning defensive replacement option in IKF.

They could also replace Bruihl for Bo and Nance for Bassitt - keeping both Tony and IKF, while rolling with 1 less bullpen arm.

[ComeTogether]

 

 

 

 

[John_Havok]

3 hours ago, Jays24 said:

Its not even a debate, Detroit will only have Skubal for Game 3 and 7.  They are BY FAR the less scarier team.  

Seattle is frigging good.

Agreed. Seattle is much more comparable to the Jays as far as depth, and their top end talent is better, especially for SPs and elite RPs. 

But they're still beatable. I think the travel would be more taxing on the Jays and add another edge towards Seattle on whatever matrix one uses to decide who gets the edge on certain factors

LIke.. SP edge goes to Seattle, no doubt. Elite pen arms goes to Seattle. Power goes to Seattle. Jays get the edge on hitting for average, defense and depth. Seattle can bury you really f'n quick if you pitch poorly. Detroit is less "scary" for sure outside of having the best single SP on any of the three remaining AL teams.