Can the Blue Jays Conquer the ALCS Without Their Star Shortstop? The Toronto Blue Jays are heading into the ALCS after an impressive series win against the Yankees, but a key question mark hangs over their heads: Will Bo Bichette be ready to play? His presence, or lack thereof, could significantly impact their chances. Let's dive into the latest updates and what it all means.
Bo Bichette, the Blue Jays' shortstop, has been sidelined since early September due to a left knee sprain. He missed the entire Division Series, and his status for the ALCS against the Mariners is still up in the air.
Recent reports suggest Bichette is making progress. According to Jays manager John Schneider, Bichette has been hitting against live pitching and running the bases. The team is closely monitoring his response to this increased activity to determine if he'll be on the roster. MLB.com's Keegan Matheson noted that Bichette still seemed to be experiencing some discomfort while running.
But here's where it gets controversial... If Bichette is limited, he might be used as a designated hitter (DH) only. This could shift George Springer to the outfield, potentially pushing either Nathan Lukes or Anthony Santander out of the lineup. The Blue Jays would only make this move if they're confident Bichette can contribute at the plate.
And this is the part most people miss... There's also the possibility that Toronto could roster Bichette even if he's not fully recovered, just to have him available. However, this carries a significant risk. If Bichette were to re-injure himself during the ALCS and go back on the injured list, he would be ineligible for the World Series, should the Jays advance. It's a high-stakes gamble.
Shifting gears to the pitching rotation, the Blue Jays made a bold move by leaving both Chris Bassitt and Max Scherzer off their ALDS roster. Both veteran pitchers had their reasons: Scherzer struggled towards the end of the season, and Bassitt wasn't fully stretched out after a late-September injury. This strategy worked for the shorter five-game series, where they could rely on starters like Kevin Gausman, Trey Yesavage, and Shane Bieber.
However, with a seven-game series ahead, manager Schneider has indicated that both Bassitt and Scherzer are in contention for a roster spot, given the need for more innings from the starters. The final roster decisions must be made by 9 AM CT tomorrow morning.
What do you think? Will the Blue Jays be better off with a potentially hobbled Bichette, or should they play it safe? Do you agree with the decision to potentially include Bassitt and Scherzer? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
