The Toronto Blue Jays are poised to eliminate the New York Yankees in their Game 4 showdown. The matchup takes place on Wednesday evening in the Bronx as the Blue Jays lead the best-of-five American League Division Series (ALDS) 2-1. A victory would send Toronto to the next round of playoffs, while the Yankees face a do-or-die scenario.
Game 4 Preview
The Blue Jays have appointed pitcher Louis Varland as the starter for Game 4. This marks an unusual strategy, as Varland has already pitched in the first three games of the series. Toronto has experienced challenges within their pitching roster. Notably, regular pitchers like José Berríos and Chris Bassitt are absent due to physical setbacks. Veteran pitcher Max Scherzer is also left off the roster.
The Challenge for the Bullpen
Following Varland’s performance, the Blue Jays bullpen will be crucial to secure a win. Manager John Schneider described the process of managing pitchers during the playoffs as “a chess game.” He emphasized the importance of strategy and adaptability during the series.
Yankees’ Desperation
The Yankees will counter with rookie pitcher Cam Schlittler. New York needs to win to force a Game 5, which, if necessary, would be hosted at Toronto’s Rogers Centre on Friday. Manager Aaron Boone acknowledged the tough challenges the Yankees have faced against the Jays’ starting pitchers in this series.
Recap of Game 3
Game 3 did not go as planned for Toronto. The Blue Jays initially led after Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s two-run homer. However, a combination of errors and the Yankees’ strong batting led to a 9-6 defeat for the Jays. This loss halted Toronto’s momentum after dominating the first two games in Toronto, where they outscored New York 23-8.
Season Overview
Both teams finished the regular season with identical win records. However, the Blue Jays secured the division title by performing better in their matchups against the Yankees throughout the season. The Yankees have a rich history, with 27 championship titles, while the Blue Jays are aiming to return to their former glory after their back-to-back championships in 1992 and 1993.
Looking Ahead
For the Blue Jays, a win in Game 4 would allow them to move past the Yankees and continue their playoff quest. They must also win the following American League Championship Series (ALCS) to achieve their World Series aspirations.
