Blue Jays Exclude Bichette from ALCS Roster; Scherzer and Bassitt Activated

What's Happening?

The Toronto Blue Jays have announced their roster for the American League Championship Series against the Seattle Mariners, notably excluding shortstop Bo Bichette due to injury. Bichette, who sprained his left knee last month, attempted to run bases but showed signs of discomfort, leading to his exclusion. Meanwhile, the Blue Jays have activated Max Scherzer and Chris Bassitt, both of whom missed the Division Series against the Yankees. Scherzer, a three-time Cy Young Award winner, had a challenging season with a 5.19 ERA, while Bassitt posted a 3.96 ERA. The Mariners have made changes to their roster as well, bringing back Bryan Woo, who has been sidelined since September due to pectoral inflammation. Woo had a strong regular season with a 2.94 ERA. The Mariners also added utilityman Miles Mastrobuoni, replacing outfielder Luke Raley and infielder Ben Williamson.

Why It's Important?

The exclusion of Bo Bichette from the Blue Jays' roster is significant as he is a key player, having finished second in the major leagues with a .311 batting average. His absence could impact the Blue Jays' offensive capabilities against the Mariners. The activation of Scherzer and Bassitt provides the Blue Jays with experienced pitching options, which could be crucial in the high-stakes series. For the Mariners, the return of Bryan Woo strengthens their pitching lineup, potentially giving them an edge. These roster changes could influence the dynamics of the series, affecting both teams' strategies and performance.

What's Next?

The ALCS series between the Blue Jays and Mariners is set to begin, with both teams adjusting their strategies based on the new roster configurations. The Blue Jays will rely on their activated pitchers to compensate for Bichette's absence, while the Mariners will look to capitalize on Woo's return to bolster their pitching strength. The outcome of the series could hinge on how effectively each team adapts to these changes and leverages their available players.