The Blue Jays Pour It On Late and Run Away With Game 1 Of The ALDS Against the Yankees

Full disclosure, today was always going to be a tough matchup for the Yankees. The Jays had their ace lined up on extended rest against Luis Gil, the definitive 4th starter in the Yanks rotation. There wasn’t a ton of confidence going in with Gil, even if he was the right choice of Will Warren for the start. 

Gil only lasted 8 outs on Saturday as Boone quickly turned to the pen to try and salvage the game. It was the right move as Hill and Doval did great to keep the Jays at 2 runs for a while. 

Offensively the Yankees decided to come out with a super aggressive approach, swinging early and often. Gausman kept coming with splitters and getting through innings in a breeze. That was until the 6th when Volpe, Wells, and Grisham all reached to load the bases with nobody out. That brought up who else but Aaron Judge in a massive spot. 

While Judge got some hits during the WC series vs. the Sox he still was lacking that signature hit. You got some last year, but overall in October he still wasn’t the same as his MVP self. 

He was all set up for it here, but chased a pitch that never was in the zone on 3-2 for strike three. Just a brutal at bat that will unfortunately continue his narrative regarding October.

After a Ben Rice pop out and Stanton strikeout, the Yankees only came away with one run in what was a golden opportunity to put up a crooked number and flip the game on its head. Stanton and Judge have yet to get going with real damage this October. If they’re gonna win it all that has to change, especially from Judge’s side. 

Things were still just 2-1 in the 7th despite the missed chance and a short start from Gil. Luke Weaver just didn’t have it, again. It’s sad but he’s just not the same guy he was last postseason. 

Back to back outings without an out recording is fucking miserable. 6 batters faced, four hits, two walks. I don’t blame Boone for the move because everyone needs to get outs at this point, but he has to stop going to him in tight games and pick anyone else. 

From there Toronto would pour it on and run away with Game 1. Now credit to the Blue Jays, in my opinion they had to win this one. You’ve got a rookie on the mound tomorrow against Max Fried. Anything can happen there. With Gil pitching they had to take advantage of the likely short start. The game ended when they only got one across with the bases loaded and one out. Judge simply has to be better. 

Honestly it’s a smidge relieving to not be in a do or die game like Wednesday and Thursday were. Gotta treat Game 2 like that though. Offense has to wake up and put pressure on Toronto. Advantage Jays out of the gates though.