The Blue Jays are looking at elimination as they return to Toronto after a tough loss to the Mariners in Game 5 of the ALCS yesterday. Manager John Schneider spoke to reporters tonight about the health status of several key players, as well as the club’s pitching plans for the final games of the series.
Perhaps the most pressing update is on veteran slugger George Springer. The 36-year-old enjoyed a career year at the plate this season, slashing .309/.399/.560 with 32 home runs and 27 doubles. Springer has continued his strong showing in the postseason, with eight extra-base hits in nine games so far in October. That hot streak was jeopardized last night when Springer was hit in the right knee by a pitch.
Fortunately, the first X-rays were negative and today Schneider offered more good news to reporters (including Sportsnet’s Shi Davidi) when he revealed that a follow-up CT scan confirmed there was no fracture. Springer was scheduled to undergo additional treatment today, but it appears he will likely be back in the lineup for Game 6. As noted by Keegan Matheson of MLB.comSchneider told reporters he was “hopeful and optimistic” that Springer would be in the lineup for tomorrow’s game, adding that Schneider plans to include Springer in the game as long as Springer himself says he is ready to play.
The future is less clear for Star Shortstop Bo Bichette. Bichette has been sidelined since the regular season with a PCL sprain, and his availability in the event the Jays manage to win their next two games and advance to face the Dodgers in the World Series remains up in the air. Schneider gave reporters (including Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet) that Bichette has increased his running volume on the field and is “making progress” with his swing, but that he has not yet attempted to reach base after limping off the field when he tried to do so prior to the ALCS. Even with this injury, Bichette had a strong rebound year prior to free agency with a .311/.357/.483 slash line in 139 games.
Of course, for Bichette to even have a shot at returning to the World Series, the Jays will have to move up there. To this end, Schneider has reporters (including Mitch Bannon of The Athletic) that everyone on the pitching staff is “physically available” can pitch tomorrow. That probably rules it out Kevin Gausman after throwing 5 2/3 innings of work yesterday, but that could mean every other pitcher on the roster is available. Bannon specifically highlights that veteran right-hander Max Scherzer will be available for tomorrow’s game after his 87-pitch start in Game 4 of the series on Thursday. Trey Yesavage is ready to start the match tomorrow against the right-hander Logan Gilbert.
Using Scherzer and Shane Bieber in tomorrow’s game would be a risky move for the Blue Jays, as it could leave them without anyone to start in Game 7 of the series on Monday if they get that far. Of course, saving an arm for Game 7 would do little for the Blue Jays if they were eliminated in Game 6. In a win-or-go-home game, it’s wise to win that night’s game at all costs and worry about the consequences later. That’s the plan the Mariners used in Game 5 of the ALDS against the Tigers, when they used it George KirbyGilbert, and Luis Castillo in a 15-inning affair, leaving them no choice but to start Bryce Molenaar in Game 1 of the ALCS against Toronto.
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