The Toronto Blue Jays will rely on right-hander Chris Bassitt Thursday night as they try to complete a four-game sweep against the visiting New York Yankees and gain sole possession of first place in the American League East. Both teams enter with matching 48-38 records, but the Blue Jays currently hold the top spot by leading the season series 4-2.
Toronto rebounded from a shaky finish Wednesday, securing an 11-9 victory after letting an eight-run lead slip away. The Blue Jays’ dramatic win came after the Yankees tied the game in the eighth inning on a two-run homer by Aaron Judge, only for Toronto to retake the lead with scoring on a wild pitch and a key single from Addison Barger.
Key offensive contributions fuel Toronto’s win
Addison Barger was instrumental in the game, hitting a three-run home run during a dominant seven-run first inning. Davis Schneider also delivered an impressive performance, contributing two homers and three RBIs for the Blue Jays. These early offensive surges helped build the foundation for Toronto’s eventual victory, despite the late-game challenges from New York.
Bassitt’s recent struggles and historical success against Yankees
Chris Bassitt, who carries a 7-4 record and a 4.29 ERA this season, enters this game looking to build on his favorable 3-1 record and 1.63 ERA in six career starts against the Yankees. However, his last start on Saturday was difficult, as he allowed nine runs (eight earned) in just over two innings during a 15-1 loss to the Boston Red Sox.
Blue Jays manager John Schneider acknowledged Bassitt’s struggles, saying,
“He never really got into a rhythm, It was just an off day for him. Kind of a weird day.”
Bassitt himself expressed confusion over his recent poor outing:
“I gave up eight hits, and I probably wouldn’t change any location on one of them. So I’m not really sure.”
—Chris Bassitt
With the bullpen having been heavily utilized, Toronto hopes Bassitt can pitch deep into Thursday’s game to preserve relief options.
Yankees counter with Clarke Schmidt to avoid series loss
The Yankees will start right-hander Clarke Schmidt, whose 4-4 record and 3.09 ERA this season will be put to the test against the Blue Jays. Schmidt has struggled to defeat Toronto in the past, holding an 0-3 record with a 3.78 ERA in seven appearances. His previous outing against Toronto resulted in one run allowed over five innings.
Toronto’s bullpen adjustments amid heavy workload
Toronto’s bullpen has been stretched thin, compounded by Jose Berrios’ short outing Wednesday, lasting only 4 1/3 innings while giving up six runs, capped by a three-run homer from Giancarlo Stanton. Nevertheless, the Blue Jays reinforced their relief corps by reinstating Yimi Garcia from the injured list after a right shoulder impingement. Garcia earned the win on Wednesday despite surrendering the tying home run to Aaron Judge in the eighth inning.
Mason Fluharty was optioned to Triple-A Buffalo to clear a roster spot for Garcia’s return. The Blue Jays’ hope is that with Garcia back and Bassitt pitching efficiently, their bullpen can better manage the workload in this crucial series finale.
Yankees face mounting pressure after recent skid
The Yankees enter Thursday’s game amid a troubling stretch, having lost 13 of their last 19 contests. Aaron Judge addressed the team’s recent performance, stating,
“We’re going to go through two of these a year — every good team does, We’re not playing good baseball. Couple things we’ve got to clean up and we’ll be right back where we need to go.”
—Aaron Judge
In response to bullpen strains, New York recalled right-hander Clayton Beeter from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and designated Geoff Hartlieb for assignment. Manager Aaron Boone accepted responsibility for bullpen management challenges, saying,
“Some of those guys have been leaned on heavily, It’s on me. I’ve got to do a better job of getting those guys in positions where they can be successful.”
—Aaron Boone
Implications of the game for division race
This game holds significant ramifications for the AL East standings, with the winner gaining a valuable advantage. A Blue Jays victory would not only complete a sweep but also firmly establish Toronto in first place, creating momentum as the season progresses. Conversely, a Yankees win would halt their skid and force a split in the series, keeping their playoff ambitions intact.
With Chris Bassitt on the mound, Toronto aims to capitalize on his strong past performances against New York despite his recent challenges, while the Yankees rely on young Clarke Schmidt to reverse recent struggles. Both teams will be looking to sharpen their play under pressure in what promises to be a pivotal matchup.