Starting tomorrow, the Toronto Blue Jays and the Minnesota Twins will face off in what will undoubtedly be a very popular series on TVA Sports.
The Canadian club against Édouard Julien sells well.
Even though all games will be played at 4:38 p.m. Eastern Time, it will still be attractive for several reasons.
This may be a frustrating series in some ways since the Blue Jays are capable of the best and the worst and because the Twins are not a power, but hey.
Remember that the Twins (87 victories) had fewer victories than the Mariners, excluded from the playoff picture. And the Twins did it by playing many games against nasty division rivals…
Let’s also remember that the Blue Jays sometimes played like a big club and sometimes like a last place club. Which version will show up in Minnesota?
Starting pitchers
Even if the Blue Jays have had their ups and downs and the Twins would not have made the playoffs in another division, the two clubs are there thanks in particular to their pitchers.
For the Twins, Pablo Lopez, Sonny Gray and Joe Ryan, if needed, should be the Twins’ trusted pitchers. The first two have really had a great season and they deserve the ball.
The Blue Jays have also aligned their pipes well since during the first games, Kevin Gausman and Chris Bassitt will have the ball. Jose Berrios (or Yusei Kikuchi?) will have the ball against his former club if necessary.
The goods should therefore, theoretically, be delivered by the starters.
Relievers
In the American, two of the four best collective earned run averages (starters and relievers) belong to the Blue Jays (3.78) and the Twins (3.87).
The Mariners and Rays also did well.
What this means is that the two managers will not be afraid to go in relief to give the ball to fresh and ready pitchers, if necessary.
The Blue Jays, however, have to wonder which Jordan Romano will take the mound. Can he close the books properly?
Hitters
This is where it gets complicated.
The Minnesota Twins do not have, on paper, the most formidable offense. It was particularly difficult at the start of the season, even if the club has since redeemed itself. In recent months, the guys have been hitting better.
That said, with Carlos Correa and Royce Lewis not finishing the season (they should play in the playoffs) healthy, that complicates everything.
We must also not forget that for two months, the Twins have had easier opponents on the menu. Everyone had dropped out in the division and their schedule wasn’t the toughest.
But OK. Despite everything, the club of Édouard Julien, an excellent hitter in his first season with the Twins, will be one to watch. If the guys stand up, it might be okay.
Other players to watch include Max Kepler, Matt Wallner, Ryan Jeffers and Alex Kirilloff.
Among the Blue Jays, we know that the club has a good offense on paper, but the ups and downs of George Springer, Bo Bichette, Daulton Varsho, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Matt Chapman have hurt the club.
Vladdy said the club is ready to make some noise in the playoffs, but it will have to be seen to be believed.
Cavan Biggio, in recent weeks, has become indispensable for the club. Alejandro Kirk offers something good, as does Brandon Belt.
But the stars must rise.
Defensive
This season, the Blue Jays improved their defense and it showed. They now rank third in the American League in errors, which is better than in 2022.
The outfield is particularly formidable and so is third base. Danny Jansen’s injury hurts, however.
But the Twins also have an excellent defense. Their shortstop, when he is healthycan make the difference.
Both clubs pitch well and play well defensively. If everyone does their job, that’s not where it’s going to be.
Managers
Rocco Baldelli is an experienced manager. He’s in his fifth year at Minnesota and he’s doing a lot with a little.
This will be his third series in five years… and he will have to find a way to win at least one game this year.
John Schneider, for his part, is making his second appearance in the playoffs in as many seasons at the helm of the Blue Jays. Will he do better than last year, when he removed Kevin Gausman too quickly during match #2?
That remains to be seen.
Imponderables
Seeing the Blue Jays avoid facing the Rays (and potentially the Orioles in the division series) is an advantage that John Schneider’s team must take advantage of.
The winner of the series will play in Houston and the Jays want to prove they can play at the next level, too.
The Twins will have to take advantage of home field advantage to win and demonstrate that they deserve their place among the big guys.
Their pitchers are capable of doing it.
The Blue Jays haven’t won a single playoff game since 2016 (they were swept in 2020 and 2022) and the Twins have since… 2004.
The good news? The Yankees are not in the playoffs this year.
