Schneider in a playoff series is going to be sweating and twitching by the 4th inning to make a pitching change. The Jays need to add a high leverage reliever on top of anything else they add.
With the 2026 rotation being two dudes right now (Gaus-Berrios), I think the Jays will trade for a SP with some control. Probably will have to say goodbye to a couple of the pitching prospects who have popped up this season, but pitching prospects break your heart. Just have to choose the right ones to keep.
Starter IP in the last 4 games:
4.1, 5.0, 5.0, 4.1
The Jays won all of those games, which is great, but can't keep forcing the pen to throw 4-5 innings a night. Bassitt has to go 7 tonight, for better or worse.
A little disappointing that whoever wins the East may still have to play in the Wild Card round since this is the one year the winner of the Central decided not to stink.
The run differential didn't move much due to the Yankees comeback, but I feel like winning this game by 2 runs will just drive Kay further over the edge, so that's the small benefit to blowing that big lead.
Man who is available in the pen tomorrow? Can't imagine Jimi is pitching again with the amount of pitches he threw today. Rodriguez has pitched the last 2 games. Little threw 30 pitches tonight. I guess Hoffman could be available but he's pitched in 3 of the last 4. Definitely need length out of Bassitt. Four straight ~5 IP outs from SP's is not ideal.
If 2023 Babe Schneider is back, then man, what a great development. If Gimenez has to miss some time, then just stick DS at 2B. Of course, the last time DS was on the same bench as a nepo baby......
Yeah the Jays need a 6-7 IP outing for a SP badly. Schneider probably tried to squeeze as much out of Berrios as he could, but there should have been a mound visit or something in there if there wasn't one.
Lugo has a $15M player option for 2026, which he may decline depending on how the rest of his season goes.
If the Jays want someone with team control, then the Marlins are probably their best hope. Sandy at (what should be) a discount, or Cabrera for some good prospects. Otherwise probably better off in the rental market.
Nimmala down to a 106 wRC+. He must be on one heck of a cold stretch. Hopefully he turns things around. Was looking forward to him ending the season in AA.
I'm guessing it's a combination of not having anyone else deemed available, not wanting to extend of the 1 inning RP's, and Yariel possibly already being "hot" before all the tack on runs.
Regardless, a smarter manager uses Green for a 2nd inning. Schneider isn't that guy.