Yesterday night, the defeat of the Seattle Mariners ensured that the Blue Jays will be able to play playoff games this weekend. The club will finish fourth in the American.
Results? For tonight’s game on the road, John Schneider presented the following line-up.
Other than Vladimir Guerrero Jr. at first base (he didn’t want a bye), every veteran at the club had a bye. It was well deserved.
It also gave Quebecer Otto Lopez the chance to get his first career start.
But due to rain, the game was canceled…and rescheduled for tomorrow as part of a doubleheader for the last day of the regular season.
And it really is an ordinary decision.
After all, the five players who are off today will probably, at some point, have to play tomorrow.
This would not have been the case if there had been only one game.
Because at this point, with the Orioles being eliminated and the Blue Jays going into the playoffs on Friday, playing a pointless doubleheader tomorrow is going to take too many resources for games that aren’t going to change the standings.
Not all reserves will be able to play 18 innings, after all.
On the pitching side, guys like Mitch White and Yusei Kikuchi will burn the candle at both ends, but they won’t pitch 18 innings. Can Bradley Zimmer pitch?
Even though the Jays will get one more player for the day, burning the bullpen for nothing 48 hours into the playoffs is a bad idea.
Note also that due to the rain, Lourdes Gurriel Jr. and Santiago Espinal could not train at full speed.
They should, however, be ready for the playoffs.
My advice for Jays fans? Watch Rays and Mariners games for clues as to who will be in Toronto on Friday.
Otherwise, the games of the Mets, Braves, Phillies and Padres are to follow.
- Aaron Judge has just two games left to homer.
