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

[Anal Hershiser]

1 hour ago, Brownie19 said:

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.

There are good arguments for both options I think, just depends how you want to play it. Bo at DH means Springer in RF means Taters is strictly PH and instantly PR/subbed for. You lose flexibility because he's a PH who you have to automatically burn another bench player for

 

[John_Havok]

16 minutes ago, Anal Hershiser said:

There are good arguments for both options I think, just depends how you want to play it. Bo at DH means Springer in RF means Taters is strictly PH and instantly PR/subbed for. You lose flexibility because he's a PH who you have to automatically burn another bench player for

 

Bo himself is probably a guy they'd have to instantly pinch run for as there's no way his leg will be 100%. good enough to get out there and hit only... we'll see, but I really doubt an extra 3 days is making the difference between unable to play and being well enough to be a DH that can't run. 

[glory]

I haven't followed the Bichette updates that closely, but I'd be shocked if he comes back this season. I get them keeping their options open, and even as a DH he'd still be a massive upgrade, but it seems more like wishful thinking. Nevermind the fact that he hasn't seen live pitching in weeks (he'd have to go straight from that to playoff pitching), and prior to his injury he would have lost a foot race to Vladdy by a significant margin, so I can't imagine how useful he'd be as a base runner. Might have to just hope the team can win without him, but obviously if he's good enough to DH and not be compromised on the bases, then you have to go for it. 

[G-Snarls]

2 hours ago, Omar said:

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

He only gets to pitch twice if we don't put them away in 5 or 6 games though :)

Edit: Though I can see them pitching him early in a game 6 if they're down 3-2 after 5 games

[Anal Hershiser]

15 minutes ago, John_Havok said:

Bo himself is probably a guy they'd have to instantly pinch run for as there's no way his leg will be 100%. good enough to get out there and hit only... we'll see, but I really doubt an extra 3 days is making the difference between unable to play and being well enough to be a DH that can't run. 

I don't think you activate him unless he can at least DH and outrun Kirk

[neverbeenhere]

7 hours ago, max silver said:

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.

A-Rod said home runs are for shows, batting average, great defense and timely hitting etc are for title 

[neverbeenhere]

2 hours ago, ComeTogether said:

 

 

 

 

Glad to see Toronto is a baseball town now. Should stay that way. 

[SeranthonySantander]

I understand all players who contributed during the season will get rings and I’m all for guys like green and Francis, Jonaton clase, Santander, George springer etc getting one.

 

but if Bo doesn’t come back and we end up winning, they should implement the “Bo rule”

to be used only in extreme circumstances, like once every 90 years,  can we take away a players right to receive a ring.  It could be voted on by the players.

[Omar]

I watched an abbreviated version of this game just to relive the Yankees pain.  Little and Hoffman made me nervous all over again even though I knew the outcome.  

[Brownie19]

4 hours ago, SeranthonySantander said:

I understand all players who contributed during the season will get rings and I’m all for guys like green and Francis, Jonaton clase, Santander, George springer etc getting one.

 

but if Bo doesn’t come back and we end up winning, they should implement the “Bo rule”

to be used only in extreme circumstances, like once every 90 years,  can we take away a players right to receive a ring.  It could be voted on by the players.

[mphenhef]

20 hours 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.

 

And I would bet the fact the Jays strung together a bunch of hits in game 3 when Vlad was intentionally walked contributed to the decision to pitch to Vlad in the first inning of game 4.

[mphenhef]

11 hours ago, SeranthonySantander said:

I understand all players who contributed during the season will get rings and I’m all for guys like green and Francis, Jonaton clase, Santander, George springer etc getting one.

 

but if Bo doesn’t come back and we end up winning, they should implement the “Bo rule”

to be used only in extreme circumstances, like once every 90 years,  can we take away a players right to receive a ring.  It could be voted on by the players.