The American League Championship Series between the Blue Jays and the Seattle Mariners saw the return of pitchers Max Scherzer and Chris Bassitt to the roster, while shortstop Bo Bichette remained sidelined with a left knee sprain. Both teams unveiled their 26-man rosters ahead of Game 1 at Rogers Centre on Sunday night.
Manager John Schneider indicated that Scherzer was set for a potential starting role or extended appearance, with Bassitt ready to contribute out of the bullpen as needed. The Blue Jays aimed to have rookie Trey Yesavage start Game 2, followed by Shane Bieber in Game 3 when the series shifts to Seattle. The starting order mirrored the division series win over the New York Yankees, with Kevin Gausman taking the mound for the opener.
While Schneider didn’t confirm the Game 4 starter, he hinted that Scherzer might play a role. Scherzer, an eight-time all-star, had a mixed season with a 5-5 record and 5.19 ERA, facing injury setbacks earlier in the year. Bassitt, on the other hand, posted an 11-9 record with a 3.96 ERA before landing on the injured list due to lower-back issues.
Bichette, the team’s hits leader this season, continued his recovery process but was not ready to return to full speed. Despite his absence on the field, he remained engaged in team activities and contributed off the field. The Mariners, on the other hand, added Bryan Woo and Miles Mastrobuoni to their roster, replacing Luke Raley and Ben Williamson.
Seattle’s journey to Toronto followed a grueling five-game series against Detroit, culminating in a 15-inning victory. The Blue Jays, making their first ALCS appearance since 2016, aimed to capture their first World Series title since 1993.
