Thanks to Cam Schlittler’s heroics in Game 3 of the Wild Card Series against the Red Sox, the Yankees are marching on in the postseason. Today, that march continues at Rogers Centre, as the Yankees are in Toronto to open up the American League Division Series against the Blue Jays.
In terms of overall final record, the Yankees played the Blue Jays exactly even, as both finished with identical 94-68 records. However, Toronto won the tiebreaker as a result of winning the season series, and that’s because
in the games between the two teams, the Jays performed much better. The Yankees lost the season series to Toronto 8-5, getting outscored 70-59 in the process. Over half those games came during the Yankees’ June and July swoon, as they did win two series on other side of that. Just one more win in any of the frustrating losses to Toronto would’ve flipped the division and led to today’s game being at home instead of north of the border. So it goes.
For today’s series opener, the Yankees will send Luis Gil to the mound. Gil did not get a start in the Wild Card Series, but mostly put up solid numbers in the regular season. As ever with him, the big factor will be if he can control his walks. Toronto doesn’t strike out a ton and puts the ball in play, so the last thing you need from Gil is losing the zone and putting extra runners on when that happens. The bullpen got a full day of rest and everyone except David Bednar also got to sit out Game 3 thanks to Schlittler, so manager Aaron Boone will likely be ready to warm someone up at the first sign of trouble from Gil. That might be middle relievers, but it could also be fifth starter Will Warren if it’s early on.
As for Toronto, skipper John Schneider is starting his ace, Kevin Gausman. The Yankees have had mixed results against Gausman this year, but they do have proof of concept against him, as there was one April game where they knocked him out after 2.2 innings and six runs. For a little more on Gausman, here’s Josh from the ALDS preview:
In four seasons with Toronto he’s accumulated more than 18 fWAR with a 3.48 ERA/3.14 FIP, while topping 180 innings every year but his first, in 2022. He features one of the best four-seam fastballs in baseball, but his moneymaker is a split-finger. He’s effectively become a two-pitch pitcher this year against lefties, but will mix in a slider against righties. Although Gausman flat-out steamrolled the Yankees on September 5th, he will be looking to set aside shaky playoff memories, as he has a 6.32 ERA across his 15.2 innings and four appearances this decade for the Jays and Giants.
There are no surprises in the Yankees’ lineup today, as they’re facing the righty Gausman. All the normal characters are in there, including Ben Rice at first base. The bench will feature first baseman Paul Goldschmidt, outfielder Jasson Domínguez, third catcher J.C. Escarra, and utilitymen Amed Rosario and José Caballero. The Jays’ bullpen features four lefties, so keep an eye out for Goldschmidt or Rosario in a pinch-hitting role if the right opportunity pops up.
We hope that you’ll come join us in the game thread for today’s action, and here’s everything you need to know about how to watch the game.
How to Watch:
Location: Rogers Centre — Toronto, ON, CAN
First Pitch: 4:08 p.m. EDT
TV broadcast: FOX (National)
Radio broadcast: WFAN 660/101.9 FM, WADO 1280 (NYY) | SN590 (TOR) | ESPN Radio (National)
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