The Toronto Blue Jays are poised to clinch their spot in the American League Championship Series (ALCS) when they face off against the New York Yankees in Game 4 of the American League Division Series (ALDS) on October 4, 2023. With a series lead of 2-1, a victory for the Blue Jays would ensure their advancement, while the Yankees will be fighting to keep their postseason hopes alive.
The match is set to take place at Yankee Stadium in New York, starting at 19:08 EDT. The Blue Jays will send out pitcher Louie Varland, who has compiled a record of 4-3 with a 2.97 earned run average (ERA) and 75 strikeouts this season. The Yankees will counter with Cam Schlittler, also 4-3, who boasts a slightly lower ERA of 2.96 and 84 strikeouts.
This matchup features two teams that finished the regular season with identical records of 94-68. The Yankees, finishing second in the AL East, have a strong home record of 50-31. Their offense ranks second in the league with an on-base percentage of .332, while the Blue Jays, who finished first in the division, lead Major League Baseball with a team batting average of .265.
Season Showdown
The Blue Jays and Yankees have faced each other 16 times this season, with Toronto holding a 10-6 advantage in the season series. Both teams are entering this game with similar momentum, each having won seven of their last ten games. The Yankees are currently batting .255 during this span, while the Blue Jays have a higher average of .277 and have outscored their opponents by 26 runs.
Top performers for the Yankees include Trent Grisham, who has nine doubles and 34 home runs this season, and Aaron Judge, who has excelled recently with a batting average of .472 over the last ten games, including three home runs. For the Blue Jays, George Springer leads the team with 32 home runs and a slugging percentage of .556, while Daulton Varsho has been a significant contributor with 14 hits and three home runs over his past ten games.
Injury Reports
In terms of injuries, the Yankees have several key players on the injured list, including Brent Headrick (forearm) and Gerrit Cole (elbow), who is on the 60-day injured list. The Blue Jays also face challenges with injuries to Jose Berrios (elbow) and Bo Bichette (knee), among others.
As the Blue Jays look to cement their place in the ALCS, the Yankees will aim to build on their strong home record and leverage their hitting prowess. The outcome of this pivotal Game 4 will not only determine who moves forward in the postseason but will also highlight the competitive spirit of two of Major League Baseball’s most storied franchises.
