Blue Jays Boost ALCS Roster with Chris Bassitt, Max Scherzer

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Blue Jays Boost ALCS Roster with Chris Bassitt, Max Scherzer

The Toronto Blue Jays are enhancing their roster ahead of the American League Championship Series (ALCS) with the inclusion of veteran pitchers Chris Bassitt and Max Scherzer. The announcement was made on Sunday, just before the first game of the ALCS.

Roster Changes Ahead of ALCS

Bassitt and Scherzer are replacing right-handed reliever Tommy Nance and left-handed pitcher Justin Bruihl. The latter two struggled in the previous series against the New York Yankees, allowing a combined eight hits and four earned runs over 1.2 innings.

Veteran Pitchers Making a Comeback

This roster change marks a significant departure from the Blue Jays’ more cautious approach during the ALDS. Bassitt was sidelined with back issues, while Scherzer faced difficulties at the end of the regular season. Now, both pitchers are ready to contribute in the playoffs.

First Pitch for Game 1: Sunday at 8:08 p.m. ET.
Where to Watch: Live coverage available on Sportsnet and Sportsnet+.

Pitching Performance Summary

Chris Bassitt finished the regular season with a 3.96 ERA, securing an 11-9 record along with 166 strikeouts across 31 starts. His prior playoff experience includes three runs allowed in four innings during his postseason appearance in 2022 for the New York Mets.

Max Scherzer, at 41, is a three-time Cy Young Award winner, boasting a 3.78 ERA and 171 strikeouts throughout 143 career postseason innings. Scherzer has also won two World Series championships, adding to his impressive resume.

Strategic Decisions in ALCS

Pitching coach Pete Walker highlighted the differences between the playoff formats. The ALCS is a best-of-seven series, allowing for more strategic use of pitchers compared to the best-of-five ALDS. This format change has motivated the Blue Jays to deploy their top pitchers now.

Walker stated, “The days off and how you use your starters is different in a best-of-seven. We’ll think things through and come up with the best group to give us a chance to win.” With this mindset, the Blue Jays aim to capitalize on their veteran reinforcements as they pursue a spot in the World Series.