The Rays earlier in the evening became the first team in the 2023 playoffs to be eliminated. The Jays could become second if they didn’t win game two against the Twins.
For the occasion, they faced the very dominant Sonny Gray. On the Jays side, José Berrios was responsible for keeping his team alive.
At the start of the match, Toronto did not seem afraid of the Minnesota starter. The offense managed to hit three safe runs in two innings, but as has been the case all year, it left runners on the trails.
Missed chance, then.
José Berrios had an exceptional outing, but in the third inning, he was removed from the match in favor of Yusei Kikuchi. It was a strategy considered at the start of the meeting. Minnesota has a lot of good lefties in its lineup.
But what was supposed to happen, happened. Kikuchi allowed a single and a walk. Carlos Correa took advantage of this opportunity with the bases loaded to hit a run-scoring single.
The bases were still loaded and the backup hitter, Willi Castro, hit into a double play (with no outs). The damage was limited, but it was still 2-0 Twins after four innings.
Will the decision to remove Berrios be fatal for John Schneider’s job?
In short, from the next half-inning, the Jays had two runners in scoring position. And Vladdy decided to… not pay attention to the game?
That sums up the team’s 2023 season well, this game.
In the sixth inning, the Jays managed to load the bases with less than two outs (!). And you know what? They didn’t score a single point.
Matt Chapman hit into a double play.
Still 2-0 for Minnesota.
It’s demoralizing, seriously…
The Twins bullpen finally closed the door.
Final score: 2-0.
The Blue Jays are therefore swept away for a second time in as many years.
Like all Toronto professional clubs at the end of a season, it will be an eventful off-season in Toronto. Who leaves and who stays?
Guys like Matt Chapman, Brandon Belt and Kevin Kiermaier are out of contract.
For the Twins, they finally end their bad playoff streak. Yesterday they won for the first time since 2004 and today they won a playoff round for the first time since 2002.
They will face the always dangerous Houston Astros in the ALDS.
