Bo Bichette does everything he can to help the team get to the World Series, even if it means playing a position at the MLB level for the first time. The star shortstop has been taking reps at second base, according to reports Sportsnet’s Ben Nicholson-Smithamong other things, as he works his way back from a PCL sprain in early September. “I’m willing to do whatever it takes to help this team win in any role – it doesn’t matterBichette told reporters, including Sportsnet’s Shi Davidi.
Administrator John Schneider said before Game 7 of the ALCS that Bichette had made progress in his recovery. The short stop resumes running work on the field prior to the series against Seattle, but was ultimately left off the ALCS roster. Regarding Bichette’s role if he is cleared to return, Schneider said he “could‘appear at second base, shortstop or DH, told Mitch Bannon of The Athletic.
All of Bichette’s 716 MLB appearances in the field have been at shortstop. He has made 31 appearances at DH. Bichette does have professional experience at second base, but it has been a long time since he played there. He made one appearance at the position for Triple-A Buffalo in 2019. Bichette recorded 29 starts at second base in the minors from 2016 to 2018.
Bichette’s playing time in the infield, whether at second base or shortstop, will likely come at the expense of Isiah Kiner Fear. The utilityman started the last four games of the ALCS at second base. Although he went 5-for-15 against Seattle, Kiner-Falefa is known much more for his glove, and Bichette’s bat would be the preferred option in the lineup. Andres Gimenez moved from second base to shortstop when Bichette went down. He could slide back to his original position if Bichette can handle the shortstop, or stay there if Bichette moves to second.
The middle of the infield will rotate depending on Bichette’s status, but one spot in the lineup that isn’t in question is the starting pitcher for Game 1. Trey Yesavage gets the ball on Friday reports Bill Shaiken of the Los Angeles Timesamong others. He will be opposed by the left Blake Snell.
Yesavage’s ascension into the Blue Jays system was one of the most fascinating stories of the postseason. He was taken in the first round of the 2024 draft and made his professional debut with Single-A Dunedin in April this year. Big strikeouts took Yesavage to High-A Vancouver and then to Double-A New Hampshire. By August he had reached Triple-A Buffalo. Yesavage recorded 26 strikeouts in 17 1/3 innings with the Bisons and earned an MLB call-up in mid-September. He shined in his big league debut against Tampa Bay, striking out nine in five innings. Yesavage earned his first MLB win in his third and final start of the regular season, shutting down the Rays again over five scoreless innings.
Yesavage saved his best for the postseason. In his playoff debut, he fired 5 1/3 hitless innings against the Yankees in the ALDS. He took the loss in Game 2 of the ALCS, but came back with a strong start in Game 6 and earned a win to even the series. Yesavage will face a tough test on Friday, facing a Los Angeles lineup that has posted a 113 wRC+ so far in the postseason. If necessary, he would be in line to start Game 5.
Kevin Gausman would have been the top candidate to start Game 1 of the World Series, but he was needed in relief Monday in Game 7 of the ALCS. Toronto’s ace pitched a scoreless seventh inning and then finished with the win George Springer launched a go-ahead home run in the bottom half of the inning. Gausman told reporters: including Davidithat he knew pitching on Monday would likely cost him the start on Friday. “That was hard for me to swallow, to be honest… [but] I would hate to go there without knowing exactly what I’m going to get out of myself. That played a major role in recent days.“
Davidi said Gausman’s side session on Thursday will likely set him up for Game 2 on Saturday. He has posted a 2.00 ERA in four postseason appearances. Gausman got the win in Toronto’s victory over New York in Game 1 of the ALDS. He was outdone by Bryce Molenaar in Game 1 of the ALCS, but was in line for the win in Game 5 until the bullpen gave up five runs in the eighth inning. If Gausman does start Saturday, he would be on track to start again in Game 6 if necessary.
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