As the Blue Jays finalize the wildcard roster, in-game tactics take center stage

TORONTO — With a three-game streak far more urgent than a game of 162, there may be moments when Toronto Blue Jays interim manager John Schneider manages this weekend’s wildcard series against the Seattle Mariners a little differently.

Of course, it would be foolish to reveal such plans, as the Mariners are sure to be listening.

“I don’t want to give away any secrets,” Schneider joked at the Rogers Center on Thursday afternoon. “The overarching theme is finding benefits. Whether defensively, offensively or on the pitching side, we will continue to do that. But at the same time trust in the incredible talent we have.”

“If there is a point where we can create a small advantage, we will use it,” added Schneider. “In the game you observe the flow of the game.”

Once the wildcard series begins Friday at 4:07 p.m. ET, the Blue Jays will need to adjust to the demands of the series ahead of them, and that could mean making decisions more proactively than usual. With days off on both sides of the series, 12 or 13 available pitchers, and little room for error, there’s no reason to keep struggling pitchers on the mound for long. At this time of year it is often better to remove a pitcher a batter early than a batter late.

With that in mind, the Blue Jays must be open to using their pitchers in ways they wouldn’t have used on May 15 or August 10. For example, could Jordan Romano be asked to hit six outs? Could Tim Mayza serve in the fifth inning? Could Jose Berrios serve with relief? Why not (an even more radical pitching effort might be required later in October, but we’ll save the Alek Manoah-out-of-the-bullpen speculation for then).

Beyond Manoah in Game 1, the Blue Jays have not announced their rotation plans, preferring to remain flexible depending on how the cut on Kevin Gausman’s right middle finger heals and – possibly – the outcome of the series opener. While the use of Ross Stripling could be tempting on Saturday if the Blue Jays win Game 1, Gausman could be more likely to serve after a Game 1 loss.

As Schneider said, “It’s nice to have options.”

Step one for the Blue Jays? Submit their 26-man wildcard list to the commissioner’s office by 10 a.m. ET Friday morning. There are still some important questions on that front as the statuses of Lourdes Gurriel Jr. and Santiago Espinal remain uncertain. Therefore, their potential successors remain in limbo.

On Thursday afternoon, the Blue Jays were actively considering many scenarios, including taking 13 pitchers — the maximum allowed. And while finding room for three catchers is never easy, Gabriel Moreno finished the season strong with his first career home run on Wednesday and would offer the Blue Jays valuable late-game flexibility.

“Several different scenarios, whether it’s a pinch hit or a pinch running,” said GM Ross Atkins. “One of the biggest challenges that I feel against adding a third catcher is how offensively successful and capable (Alejandro Kirk and Danny Jansen) are.”

On Friday morning we will know for sure how the Blue Jays will put together their roster. In the meantime, here’s my best guess…

position player (13)
Danny Jansen C
Alejandro Kirk, C
Vladimir Guerrero Jr., 1B
Cavan Biggio, 2B
Santiago Espinal, 2B
Matt Chapman, 3B
Bo Bichette, SS
Georg Springer, CF
Teoscar Hernández, RF
Lourdes Gurriel Jr., L.F
Jackie Bradley Jr., OF
Raimel Tapia, OF
Whit Merrifield, Util

pitchers (13)
Alek Manoah, RHP
Kevin Gausman, RHP
Ross Stripling, RHP
Jose Berrios, RHP
Jordan Romano, RHP
Yimi Garcia, RHP
Tim Mayza, LHP
Anthony Bass, RHP
Adam Cimber, RHP
Trevor Richards, RHP
David Phelps, RHP
Zach Pop, RHP
Yusei Kikuchi, LHP

Notable omissions: RHP Mitch White (now ineligible after being optioned), RHP Julian Merryweather, RHP Nate Pearson, C Gabriel Moreno, OF Bradley Zimmer

When the Blue Jays used Yusei Kikuchi for just 18 pitches on Thursday, it was an indication they didn’t want to overwork him ahead of the weekend. The left-hander finished strong, with 10 strikeouts versus just two walks and one hit in his last 6.1 innings spanning four appearances. Will he hit high leverage? Probably not if the Blue Jays can help. But against a Mariners team with a lot of lefties and switch hitters, it makes sense.

This version of the roster assumes the health of Gurriel Jr. and Espinal, both of whom were feeling relatively comfortable during Thursday’s on-field drills at Rogers Center. While neither has scored in a game in weeks, Espinal offers late-game defense for second and insurance behind Bo Bichette as shortstop. As for Gurriel Jr., he could be an attractive option for a pinch punch even if his hamstring is still healing.

That would likely force Bradley Zimmer out of the roster and limit Schneider’s late-game outfield defense, but in Jackie Bradley Jr. the Blue Jays still have a card to play on that front. Finding space for Moreno would be ideal, but carrying additional weapons like Kikuchi and Zach Pop might prove more appealing.

One way or another, however, the Blue Jays have the core of their roster in place. And with all the debate over who belongs on the fringes of the roster, it’s likely the core of that team that will determine whether the Blue Jays’ playoff run can resume next week in Houston.