Blue Jays stumble in ALCS Game 1 — David Ortiz explains what went wrong originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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The opened the ALCS with a loss at home against the . The Blue Jays’ bats went ice cold after a leadoff home run from George Springer. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. & Co. combined for just two hits in 27 plate appearances. This means worry if you are a Blue Jays fan, who had a completely different performance while facing the in the ALDS opener.
Appearing on FOX alongside Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez, legend David Ortiz shared a reason why he thinks the Blue Jays couldn’t manufacture runs against the Mariners.
“I don’t know if this ever happened to you guys when you were still playing, but when I was swinging the bat hot, I didn’t want no day off,” Ortiz explained. “Day off kind of cut my rhythm for a second, and then I had to catch up. It seems like the Blue Jays tonight, those three days off kind of affected them.”
The Blue Jays had three days off after beating the New York Yankees in ALDS Game 4. The other ALDS between the Mariners and the stretched to five games before the former triumphed in the extra-innings thriller.
Blue Jays looking to level ALCS with 22 YO rookie on mound
ALCS Game 2 will be played Monday at 5:03 p.m. ET (2:03 p.m. PT) at Rogers Centre in Toronto. The Mariners will hand the ball to Logan Gilbert, while the home side will trust 22-year-old rookie Trey Yesavage.
The Blue Jays’ right-hander was phenomenal during the ALDS against the Yankees. He pitched 5⅓ no-hit innings with 11 strikeouts. Yesavage made his MLB debut in September, and since then, he has done nothing but impress manager John Schneider. The manager hopes the rookie gives him enough innings before he turns to the pen.
On the other hand, Mariners’ Gilbert will be pitching on short rest as his prior start came just two days ago. Therefore, the Blue Jays’ hitters need to step up and give Yesavage enough runs to level the ALCS.
