By this point on the schedule, fans of the New York Yankees probably have a good understanding of the Toronto Blue Jays. The Yankees came very close to winning the AL East, but largely due to the Jays’ strong performance against them during the regular season. Keep in mind, both teams ended the 2025 season with the same record of 94-68, but Toronto secured the season series victory, 8-5, thanks to a four-game sweep at Rogers Centre in early July.ThisA group of 26 Yankees will attempt to overcome the results from 2025.

The Blue Jays have faced challenges in the playoffs since making consecutive ALCS appearances in 2015 and 2016. They have lost seven straight playoff games, including three instances of being eliminated in the Wild Card round by the 2020 Rays, the 2022 Mariners, and the 2023 Twins. The most recent two series, in particular, included some notable moments.infamous moments. Even though the Jays are certain to have home-field advantage against all AL teams, they step into the playoffs with nearly as many uncertainties as any other team.

This is the first time the Yankees and Blue Jays have ever faced each other in the postseason. Intense division races such as this year,2015, and 1985Only draw comparisons so far to the real postseason, so this should be an exciting matchup. The winner will take on the winner of the Mariners/Tigers ALDS with a chance at the 2025 World Series at stake.

2025 record: 94-68

Manager: John Schneider

Top hitter by fWAR: George Springer (5.2)

Top pitcher by fWAR: Kevin Gausman (4.1)

The true power of this Blue Jays squad lies in its offense, a well-rounded and varied group of hitters that could potentially overcome any challenges the pitching rotation might bring. A total of 10 different players recorded at least 100 at-bats this season while performing above the league average — you can assemble a lineup every day that poses a significant threat to any opposing starter.

Springer topped Toronto with 32 home runs and appears set to win the AL Comeback Player of the Year award, and we’ve witnessed how Vladimir Guerrero Jr. can effortlessly turn it on against New York. With Rafael Devers now in San Francisco, Vlad is likely the most significant threat to the Yankees within the division, as he has hit .302/.367/.550 with 22 homers in 102 career games against New York since making his debut in 2019. Springer’sno strangerto beating the Yanks as well.

However, it remains uncertain what the future holds for Vlad’s long-time associate at the time this article is published. It’s possible that upcoming free agent Bo Bichette may have already concluded his final game with the Jays, as although he had a remarkable recovery season, he has not played since.busting up his kneein a collision at home at Yankee Stadium on September 6th. Even if the long shot comes true and Bichette is active, there’s probably going to be some rust.*

*October 4th update: Bichette is definitely not on the roster, making that a significant missing presence.

Therefore, the responsibility will fall to players such as All-Star catcher Alejandro Kirk and others to compensate. In his case, Kirk made a significant contribution towards the end of the regular season, hitting three home runs in his last six at-bats to assist Toronto in securing its last two games and keeping the Yankees at bay for the division championship.

Despite the chaotic nature of the playoff scenario, there isn’t a single team that can be overlooked. The Blue Jays’ possession of home-field advantage throughout the AL playoffs makes them a tough opponent, but for the Yankees, it also signifies that they have overcome a demanding Wild Card Series.

Game 1

Matchup: Right-handed pitcher Luis Gil versus right-handed pitcher Kevin Gausman

First Pitch: Saturday, October 4th at 4:08 PM Eastern Time

Venue: Rogers Centre (Toronto, ON)

TV: FOX

Toronto has a formidable one-two punch with Gausman and the trade deadline addition Shane Bieber. Gausman has had another impressive season, making him one of the top free agent acquisitions in recent years. Over four seasons in Toronto, he has recorded over 18 fWAR with a 3.48 ERA/3.14 FIP, consistently throwing more than 180 innings each year except for his first season in 2022. He possesses one of the best four-seam fastballs in the league, but his key pitch is a split-finger. This year, he has become primarily a two-pitch pitcher against left-handed batters, while using a slider against right-handed hitters. Although Gausman dominated the Yankees onSeptember 5th, he aims to move past uncertain playoff experiences, as he has posted a 6.32 ERA in 15.2 innings over four appearances this decade with the Jays and Giants.

After the game, following Boston’s elimination in the Wild Card Series final, the latest updates suggested that the Yankees were choosing between Gil and Will Warren for the Game 1 pitching assignment. SNY’s Andy Martino has Gil asthe favorite, which is likely a reasonable assumption (update: Gil is now confirmed). Gil’s command is rarely 100 percent—especially after the lat injury—but he did make a couple of playoff starts in 2024 during his AL Rookie of the Year season and Warren carries the risk of a first-inning blowup, which has occurred multiple times in 2025. Gil threw six strong innings in the Bronx against Toronto onSeptember 6th, one of his stronger performances this year. Despite a mediocre bullpen, Aaron Boone is likely to make a swift substitution in Game 1 unless Gil pulls a Cam Schlittler, as his relievers will all be well-rested after two days off for almost everyone. (Thanks once more, Cam!)

Game 2

Matchup: Left-handed pitcher Max Fried versus right-handed pitcher Trey Yesavage

First Pitch: Sunday, October 5th at 4:08 PM Eastern Time

Venue: Rogers Centre (Toronto, ON)

TV: FS1

Following Gausman, the Blue Jays areelectingto start 22-year-old rookie Trey Yesavage for their second home game, as they prefer Bieber to be on the road at Yankee Stadium for Game 3. The 2024 first-round selection from East Carolina has performed well in his first three MLB appearances against the Rays and Royals, despite a higher than desired walk rate. He follows Gausman’s path, with his best pitch being a splitter.

Fried will be completely rested by Sunday and undoubtedly eager to play in Toronto. The loss in Game 1 of the Wild Card Series was not due to Fried’s performance, as the left-handed pitcher wasbrilliantin line with Garrett Crochet, leaving the game after 6.1 innings without allowing any runs, holding the Red Sox to four hits and three walks before the Yankees’ relief pitching squandered the 1-0 advantage he provided. Boone will have plenty of confidence in his seasoned ace.

Game 3

Matchup: LHP Carlos Rodón against RHP Shane Bieber

First Pitch: Tuesday, October 7th at 8:08 PM Eastern Time

Venue: Yankee Stadium (Bronx, NY)

TV: FS1

Bieber will face the energetic crowd at Yankee Stadium. He was a great addition for the Jays, as he was traded from Cleveland just as he was about to come back from Tommy John surgery. As a pending free agent, if he brought any value to the Jays, it would have been a success, and instead he has made seven starts with a strong ERA. The 3.57 number hides a very high home run rate, and in playoff games where every run is crucial, making one mistake pitch over the plate could be significant for this late-season acquisition. It’s worth mentioning that the Yankees played against Bieber twice in the playoffs when he was with the Guardians,clobbering himin 2020 and achieving a double with 10 runners on base in 5.2 innings in 2022 on aGiancarlo Stanton homer.

Although the Yankees might use Schlittler to counter the left-handed hitters with him rested for Game 3, it’s more probable they will go with Rodón once again. The 2025 All-Star performed well against nearly every team except Trevor Story during his Wild Card Series appearance, keeping Boston from advancing and helping the Yankees stay in the playoffs. The Blue Jays defeated Rodón on July 21st in Toronto and also scored two runs against him a month earlier — but this match-up will take place in the Bronx, offering a different setting.

Game 4 (if necessary)

Matchup: Right-handed pitcher Cam Schlittler versus right-handed pitcher Max Scherzer in a bullpen game?

First Pitch: Wednesday, October 8th at 7:08 PM ET

Venue: Yankee Stadium (Bronx, NY)

TV: FS1

When this preview was first released, we had Max Scherzer and Chris Bassitt in the Game 4 position, but it turned out thatneither of themare on the ALDS roster. (José Berríosa also removed himself from the rotation and is currently dealing with an elbow injury) The future Hall of Famer has faced his share of challenges at 41, and although Bassitt performed better, he finished the regular season on the IL due to lower back inflammation. We had anticipated that this would be a heavy bullpen day regardless, but now it seems we’ll just see the full Johnny Wholestaff from the Jays. That’s an intriguing scenario since the Toronto bullpen isn’t exactly viewed as strong. The pressure will be on manager John Schneider to avoid overusing the ‘pen in the first three games, though he does have one offday in the schedule.

This sneak peek is being released the day following Schlittler’s announcement of his involvement to the broader baseball community, so what can we reveal that’s new? If he can even be a notable portion of theabsolute monsterHe participated in the Wild Card Series clincher against Boston, and now Toronto is in for a challenging time. If there’s a (reasonable) return to merely average performance or worse, then that’s a different scenario. The Red Sox might have been slightly surprised by how well Schlittler performed, but anticipate the Jays to have at least learned from it.

Game 5 (if necessary)

MatchupLeft-handed pitcher Max Fried versus right-handed pitcher Kevin Gausman (unconfirmed)

First Pitch: Friday, October 10th at 8:08 PM Eastern Time

Venue: Rogers Centre (Toronto, ON)

TV: FOX

Another benefit of the Jays receiving the bye was that they could arrange their pitching rotation to have Gausman prepared to start twice in this series if necessary, similar to how the Yankees did.capitalized with Gerrit Colein the 2022 ALDS versus Cleveland. Gausman’s capacity to do so was at risk because he began Game 162 with Toronto aiming for the division. Therefore, there isn’t much else to add here other than to keep that in mind, particularly if Gausman appears dominant in Game 1.

To be clear, the initial version of this post stated that Fried could only start with a short rest, but that was an error. Blame the lack of sleep following last night’s turmoil! In any case, the several off days in this series will enable Fried to have regular rest for Game 5 after starting in Game 2. Everyone will still be available, but if this crucial game is necessary, Boone will certainly feel more at ease starting with Fried instead of Gil.

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