The excitement surrounding the American League Division Series (ALDS) intensified when both the New York Yankees and Toronto Blue Jays revealed their playoff rosters, but what truly grabbed everyone’s attention were the surprising omissions from Toronto’s side. As the Yankees finalized their lineup to include returning pitcher Luis Gil, fans expected the Blue Jays to make similar adjustments to accommodate their injured stars. However, what followed was a series of unexpected choices that left many scratching their heads.
The Yankees had recently completed a strong series against the Boston Red Sox without Gil, meaning his reintroduction required some roster changes. Meanwhile, speculation grew that the Blue Jays would make several late roster moves to bring back injured players in time for the postseason. To everyone’s surprise, that didn’t happen.
Toronto was the first to officially leak its playoff roster, and it immediately caused a stir. Rumours had circulated for days that star shortstop Bo Bichette would not be available due to an injury sustained in early September during a game against the Yankees. Those whispers were confirmed when Bichette’s name was missing from the roster. Unless the Blue Jays advance deeper into October, Bichette won’t be taking the field this postseason.
Adding to the shock were the absences of Max Scherzer and Chris Bassitt. Scherzer, a future Hall of Famer, was believed to be healthy but had been struggling with his form recently. Bassitt, on the other hand, had been placed on the Injured List on September 19, with earlier reports suggesting he was likely to rejoin the squad for the playoffs. However, his recovery didn’t progress quickly enough. As a result, Toronto now faces serious challenges in managing their pitching rotation. Should the series extend to a fourth game, the Blue Jays may have to rely on a bullpen game to fill the gap left by these missing starters.
Sports journalist Mitch Bannon summed it up on social media by noting how odd the roster looked without Bichette, Scherzer, or Bassitt, joking that Toronto’s pitching situation was about to “get weird.” Indeed, that seems to be the prevailing sentiment among both fans and analysts.
On the other side, the Yankees’ roster changes were also slightly unconventional, though less dramatic. While Luis Gil did make the cut as expected, it wasn’t pitcher Paul Blackburn who lost his spot to make room for him. Instead, middle reliever Mark Leiter Jr. was dropped after a poor run of form in September, during which opponents hit an alarming .348 against him and posted a .927 OPS. His removal wasn’t entirely shocking; his recent performances suggested he was unlikely to be tendered a new contract.
Leiter’s pitching profile was reportedly too similar to that of Fernando Cruz, another reliever on the roster, but without comparable effectiveness. This decision reflects the Yankees’ intention to prioritize efficiency and adaptability in their bullpen during the ALDS.
Interestingly, the Yankees decided to keep JC Escarra, their third catcher, on the roster. This move indicates the team’s confidence in its current lineup depth and in Cody Bellinger’s health status. Because of that, Austin Slater—who might have been included as extra outfield support—was left off the list. The Yankees appear fully committed to the players they already have and are ready to rely on their chemistry and trust heading into this pivotal matchup.
The stage is now set for what promises to be a tense and unpredictable series between two long-standing rivals. Both teams are entering the ALDS with unexpected roster compositions, and while the Yankees seem more balanced, the Blue Jays’ unusual omissions have sparked intense debate about their chances of progressing.
Fans and commentators alike are particularly intrigued by how Toronto will manage their pitching without two of their most reliable arms and one of their star hitters. Their depth will be tested, and unconventional tactics may become necessary to stay competitive. For the Yankees, this represents both an opportunity and a challenge: the absence of key opponents may appear advantageous, but overconfidence can be dangerous in postseason baseball.
As the countdown to the first pitch begins, anticipation continues to build. The Yankees’ supporters are eager to see Gil’s impact upon his return, while the Blue Jays’ faithful will be hoping their team can overcome adversity and prove the skeptics wrong. One thing is clear—this ALDS series has already defied expectations before a single ball has been thrown. And as the writer cheekily put it, things might just get “weird” from here.
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