The Toronto Blue Jays will face the Seattle Mariners in the American League Championship Series (ALCS) starting on October 15, 2023, without their star shortstop, Bo Bichette. The two-time All-Star and leader in hits for the American League has been omitted from the roster due to a left knee injury sustained last month. Meanwhile, the Mariners have welcomed back right-hander Bryan Woo, who has been sidelined since September with pectoral inflammation.
Bichette’s absence is significant for the Blue Jays. He was instrumental in their success during the regular season, finishing with a .311 batting average, second only to Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees. His injury occurred during a collision with Yankees catcher Austin Wells on September 6, and despite recent attempts to recover—including running the bases on October 14—he was unable to make the roster for this critical postseason series.
In contrast, the Blue Jays have bolstered their pitching staff with the return of Max Scherzer, a three-time Cy Young Award winner, and right-hander Chris Bassitt. Scherzer, who had been out during the Division Series against the Yankees, is now active after missing time due to right thumb inflammation. He finished the regular season with a record of 5-5 and a 5.19 ERA over 17 starts. Bassitt contributed significantly with an 11-9 record and a 3.96 ERA across 32 appearances.
The Blue Jays’ roster for the ALCS remains unchanged in terms of position players, retaining the same group that scored an impressive 34 runs in 34 innings against the Yankees. The decision to leave Bichette off the roster has raised concerns among fans, as he has been a critical part of the team’s offense throughout the season.
Seattle has made strategic changes to their lineup as well, reintroducing Woo to the pitching staff. The 25-year-old, who earned All-Star honors this season, recorded a 15-7 record with a 2.94 ERA and 198 strikeouts in the regular season. With his return, the Mariners aim to reinforce their pitching capabilities as they prepare for the Blue Jays.
Additionally, Seattle has added utilityman Miles Mastrobuoni to their roster, taking the place of outfielder Luke Raley. The Mariners’ roster now includes three catchers: Cal Raleigh, Mitch Garver, and Harry Ford, reflecting their strategy for depth and flexibility in the series.
As the ALCS commences, both teams will be looking to leverage their strengths and navigate the challenges posed by injuries and roster changes. The absence of Bichette is undoubtedly a blow to the Blue Jays’ lineup, while the Mariners hope to capitalize on their reinforcements as they aim for a championship.
The excitement for the ALCS is palpable, with fans eagerly anticipating how these roster decisions will impact the series. The match-up promises to deliver thrilling moments as both teams vie for a chance to advance further in the postseason.
