Toronto Blue Jays

[LawMan]

Wow, what a freaking season... Really excited they managed to fumble their way into the #3WC. Some say you shouldn't try and pick your matchup but Twins, Astros is weaker opposition than Rays, Orioles.
Team still has to perform though, excited for playoff baseball

[LawMan]

I'm excited an anxious to see how Schneider sets his lineup for game 1. Tough spots are 2B: Schneider, Merrifield or Espinal and LF: Varsho or Merrifield.
If I got to set the lineup I would go with:

1. Springer – RF
2. Bichette – SS
3. Vlad Jr. – 1B
4. Belt – DH
5. Schneider – 2B
6. Kirk – C
7. Merrifield – LF
8. Chapman – 3B
9. Kiermaier – CF

Bench: Heineman (C ), Biggio (anywhere), Varsho (OF), Eden (runner), Espinal (IF)

SPs (1-3): Gausman, Bassitt, Berrios,

[hockeyrobot]

I can't see Varsho on the bench the way he's hitting...

[2014olympicgold]

My guess for the lineup is:
RF - Springer
DH - Belt
SS - Bichette
1B - Vladdy
2B - Biggio
C- Kirk
3B - Chapman
LF - Varsho
CF - Kiermaier

Game 1 Starter - Gausman (confirmed)
Game 2 Starter - Berrios (confirmed)

[hockeyrobot]

Correa and Royce are expected to be in the lineup....darn.

[2014olympicgold]

Royce Lewis hasn't played since September 19th but he has gone 2-2 with an RBI vs Gausman this year. And was red hot in September before he was hurt.

Carlos Correa hasn't played since September 18th. He's 3/14 (.214avg), 3BB, and 5ks vs Gausman in his career. But is 2/4 vs him this yr.

I'm guessing they both get struck out swinging vs Gausman in their first at bats.

[2014olympicgold]

Your Wild Card Roster:
Starting Pitchers:
Bassitt, Berrios, Gausman, Kikuchi (likely BP arm)

Relief Pitchers:
Cabrera, Garcia, Green, Hicks, Mayza, Richards, Romano, Swanson

INF:
Belt, Bichette, Biggio, Chapman, Espinal, Guerrero, Merrifield, Schneider

Catchers:
Heineman, Kirk

Outfield:
Eden, Kiermaier, Springer, Varsho

[hockeyrobot]

Eden over Ryu.

[2014olympicgold]

Eden over Ryu.

Ryu is pointless on the roster. It's a 3 game series.

Eden is needed to pinch run Belt and Kirk.

Confirmed Lineup:
RF-Springer
DH-Belt
1B-Guerrero
SS-Bichette
2B-Biggio
C-Kirk
CF-Kiermaier
3B-Chapman
LF-Varsho

[LawMan]

Ryu is pointless on the roster. It's a 3 game series.

Eden is needed to pinch run Belt and Kirk.

Confirmed Lineup:
RF-Springer
DH-Belt
1B-Guerrero
SS-Bichette
2B-Biggio
C-Kirk
CF-Kiermaier
3B-Chapman
LF-Varsho

The Bichette into cleanup move (which we saw at the end of the regular season) is interesting.. old school thinking is your highest average guy goes first to get driven in, I assume the logic is if anyone gets on Bo can drive them in....
Having Jansen out is a big blow because if you need to run for Kirk then defensively you are stuck putting the rookie Heineman in late in a game and he's in for the balance of the game. Not ideal.

I wonder what the analytics say about that move... 2.5 hours until first pitch. Can't wait.

[Godin]

So why was Gausman pulled after striking out the side in the 4th inning? What am I missing here?

[LawMan]

Not sure. He was not good in the innings 1-3 but seemed dialed in in the 4th....

[2014olympicgold]

You need to hit Home runs in playoff baseball. This isn't 1999 anymore. Homeruns are how you get enough runs off good pitching now. Jays just don't have enough of those guys anymore. Crazy...we all said we wanted a power bat at the deadline...

[LawMan]

Tough loss in a close game.
Gausman made 2 bad pitches which was enough. Twins had a few nice catches on balls that did not fly quite far enough.
Here's hoping they get up for Game 2 tomorrow.

[hockeyrobot]

You need to hit Home runs in playoff baseball. This isn't 1999 anymore. Homeruns are how you get enough runs off good pitching now. Jays just don't have enough of those guys anymore. Crazy...we all said we wanted a power bat at the deadline...

That was like 80% of their losses this year. Ugggggggggggggggggh. Wish it was Bassitt tomorrow.