TAMPA -- The champagne will have to wait for Kansas City.
After Wednesday night’s 2-1 loss to the Rays, paired with the Guardians’ 4-0 win over the Tigers, the Blue Jays’ magic number to clinch a postseason spot remains at three. A clinch scenario isn’t possible until that drops to two, so the Blue Jays will need to wait until Friday’s opener against the Royals at the very earliest.
This is still headed in one clear and obvious direction, though, and conversations about the Blue Jays’ postseason roster will continue to dominate the coming days as they work towards punching their ticket and then clinching the American League East.
From our Reddit AMA earlier today, here are some questions about how that could shake out.
Is it fair to expect Bo Bichette back in this lineup for the ALDS? – u/TommyTonawanda
Let’s work with the word “expect” here, because if I was writing out a roster projection for the ALDS today, I think I’d need to leave Bichette off of it. Yes, the Blue Jays hope he’s healthy enough in time to at least DH or give them a big at-bat off the bench, but he needs to prove that first.
Until we get a more concrete update on Bichette, it’s going to be difficult to “expect” anything. Instead, we’ll be left hoping, just like everyone in that clubhouse, that Bichette will play another game in a Blue Jays uniform.
Keep next Tuesday in mind -- the Blue Jays’ series opener against the Red Sox -- as they kick off their final homestand of the season.
Everyone involved should want a solid update by Tuesday, like Bichette running or taking batting practice on the field. That would give him a week to ramp up physically before the Wild Card bye to see some live pitching and get comfortable again. Until then, though, we’re all stuck in the waiting game.
Who do you think is getting left off the playoff roster? Does [Trey] Yesavage make it? – u/smythy94
Bichette is the biggest variable, of course, then Anthony Santander. If either or both are ready, Bichette and Santander could each factor into the DH conversation. In that situation, Ty France could feel the squeeze, but that’s getting a little far down the road.
Yesavage will be given every opportunity in the world to earn a spot on the postseason roster, and unless he shocks us all with back-to-back duds, he’ll get it. The Blue Jays need all of the upside they can get, whether in a starting role or out of the bullpen, and Yesavage has more upside than any pitcher in this organization.
Will Yesavage start or be in the bullpen for the playoffs? – u/OHHenry 992
From the director of “reading body language” comes a new genre: Reading John Schneider’s facial expressions.
When asked if Yesavage could start this weekend in Kansas City, Schneider said that yes, he could … then broke into a big smile. We can all do the math here. If the Blue Jays’ first play was to roll him out as a starter and he turned in one of the best MLB debuts in this organization’s history, why wouldn’t they give him another?
For the postseason, the question is essentially: Would you rather go with Yesavage or Chris Bassitt, given that Bassitt is likely the No. 4 starter behind Kevin Gausman, Shane Bieber and Max Scherzer? If the postseason roster was due tonight, I’d expect that to be Yesavage.
Can you provide more insight into how hitting coach Dave Popkins works with hitters before and during games? There's such a noticeable difference in how our hitters approach at-bats this year vs. past years. – u/trgreg
Before hitting mechanics and gameplans enter the equation, a hitting coach’s job is to empower and energize his hitters. This is where Popkins thrives. He’s every hitter’s biggest fan and biggest supporter, which is why you constantly hear Blue Jays players and coaches mention “Pop, Lou and Hunter” ... David Popkins, Lou Iannotti and Hunter Mense.
Popkins is an expert when it comes to the biomechanics of a swing, too, but without a strong relationship and 100% of a hitter’s trust, that won’t get you far.
George Springer and Addison Barger are great examples. Instead of trying to slap one identity on every single hitter, Popkins has worked to encourage the best version of each individual. This is why Springer looks so emboldened at the plate, taking big, bold shots. It’s why Barger is leaning into his incredible physical gift and letting it rip.
The Blue Jays made a lot of sharp moves last offseason. Popkins ranks near the top of the list.