Inside the Blue Jays' Wild Card Playoff Rotation
The Blue Jays aren't hiding much, at least when it comes to the playoff rotation.
On Monday, Toronto announced its starter pitchers for the first two games of a Wild Card series against the Minnesota Twins, with Kevin Gausman in Game 1 followed by José Berríos for the second contest. That slots Chris Bassitt up for a potential Game 3.
Here's a breakdown of Toronto's starting trio and how they match up against the Twins:
Game 1: Kevin Gausman
Gausman has been Toronto's ace all season, so it's only fitting he gets the ball to start the Jays' 2023 postseason. He posted another pristine ERA, won 57% of his decisions, led the American League in strikeouts, and should appear on plenty of Cy Young ballots. But, the 32-year-old faces an oddly arduous task against the Twins.
Gausman's career ERA against Minnesota (6.35) is the second-highest of any of the 30 MLB teams he's faced in his big league career. In 56.2 frames against Minnesota, he's allowed 40 earned runs and eight homers.
The Twins haven't hit Toronto's ace particularly hard, but they've somehow managed to lay off his splitter — a feat few can claim. Minnesota's impressive approach against Gausman this year has led to nine walks in 10 innings pitched.
2023 Season ERA: 3.16
Last 10 Starts ERA: 3.30
Playoff ERA: 4.57 (7 games)
Career ERA vs Twins: 6.35 (11 games)
Game 2: José Berríos
Berríos will feel right at home taking the ball at Target Field for Game 2. With his six years as a Twin, the righty has made 66 starts at Minnesota's home park, rocking a 3.63 ERA and posting a 33-21 lifetime record at the open-air venue.
A year ago, Berríos wasn't even slated to start for the Blue Jays in the playoffs after posting the worst regular season of his career. But in 2023, he's miraculously returned to old form. Berríos re-found command on his two fastballs this year, transforming the sinker and four-seamer from mashable deliveries back into strikeout weapons.
When Berríos has faltered at times this year, it's been because the command briefly eluded him again. But, if the righty comes out spotting the pearl on Wednesday, the Twins will face the best of Berríos — a workhouse they're very familiar with.
2023 Season ERA: 3.65
Last 10 Starts ERA: 4.40
Playoff ERA: 3.75 (3 games)
Career ERA vs Twins: 4.03 (5 games)
Game 3: Chris Bassitt
The Blue Jays got the innings-logging, many-pitch-throwing, veteran they bargained for in signing Bassitt to the three-year deal last winter. The 34-year-old led the American League in wins, games started, and batters faced during the regular season. In the postseason, Bassitt could get the ball with Toronto's playoff lives on the line in a potential Game 3.
Bassitt's talked at multiple points this season about wanting a do-over after how his 2022 campaign ended. He got the start for the Mets in the very same Wild Card Game 3 last year, and made it just four innings, allowing three hits, two walks, and three runs. New York's season ended after a 6-0 loss to the Padres that night.
If Toronto's Wild Card series goes the distance this year, Bassitt will get that second chance.
2023 Season ERA: 3.60
Last 10 Starts ERA: 2.81
Playoff ERA: 4.20 (3 games)
Career ERA vs Twins: 5.26 (7 starts)
Mitch Bannon is a baseball reporter for Sports Illustrated covering the Toronto Blue Jays and their minor league affiliates.Twitter: @MitchBannon