rewrite this content and keep HTML tags
Bo Bichette is doing everything he can to help the team in the World Series, even if it means playing a position for the first time at the MLB level. The star shortstop has been taking reps at second base, reports Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet, among others, as he works his way back from a PCL sprain suffered in early September. “I’m willing to do whatever it takes to help this team win in whatever role it is – it doesn’t matter,” Bichette told reporters, including Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.
Manager John Schneider said before Game 7 of the ALCS that Bichette had been making strides in his recovery. The shortstop resumed on-field running work ahead of the series against Seattle, but was ultimately left off the ALCS roster. Regarding Bichette’s role if he’s cleared to return, Schneider said he “could” appear at second base, shortstop, or DH, relayed Mitch Bannon of The Athletic.
All 716 of Bichette’s MLB appearances in the field have been at shortstop. He’s made 31 appearances at DH. Bichette does have professional experience at second base, but it’s been quite some time since he played there. He made a single appearance at the position for Triple-A Buffalo in 2019. Bichette logged 29 starts at second base in the minors from 2016 to 2018.
Bichette’s playing time in the infield, whether at second base or shortstop, will likely come at the expense of Isiah Kiner-Falefa. The utilityman started the final four games of the ALCS at second base. While he did go 5-for-15 against Seattle, Kiner-Falefa is known much more for his glove, and Bichette’s bat would be preferred in the lineup. Andres Gimenez moved over from second base to shortstop when Bichette went down. He could slide back to his original position if Bichette can handle shortstop, or remain there if Bichette heads to second.
The middle of the infield will shuffle depending on Bichette’s status, but one lineup spot that isn’t up for debate is the starting pitcher for Game 1. Right-hander Trey Yesavage will get the ball on Friday, reports Bill Shaiken of the Los Angeles Times, among others. He’ll be opposed by lefty Blake Snell.
Yesavage’s ascent up the Blue Jays’ system has been one of the more fascinating stories of the postseason. He was taken in the first round of the 2024 draft and made his professional debut with Single-A Dunedin in April of this year. Huge strikeout numbers propelled Yesavage to High-A Vancouver and then to Double-A New Hampshire. By August, he had reached Triple-A Buffalo. Yesavage piled up 26 strikeouts in 17 1/3 innings with the Bisons, earning an MLB callup in mid-September. He dazzled in his big-league debut against Tampa Bay, striking out nine over five innings. Yesavage earned his first MLB win in his third and final start of the regular season, shutting down the Rays again over five scoreless innings.
Yesavage saved his best for the postseason. In his playoff debut, he fired 5 1/3 hitless innings against the Yankees in the ALDS. He took the loss in Game 2 of the ALCS, but came back with a strong start in Game 6, earning a win to even the series. Yesavage will have a tough test on Friday, facing a Los Angeles lineup that has posted a 113 wRC+ so far in the postseason. He’d be in line to start Game 5, if necessary.
Kevin Gausman would’ve been the top candidate to start Game 1 of the World Series, but he was needed in relief in Game 7 of the ALCS on Monday. Toronto’s ace tossed a scoreless seventh inning and ended up with the win after George Springer launched a go-ahead home run in the bottom of the inning. Gausman told reporters, including Davidi, that he knew pitching on Monday would likely cost him the start on Friday. “That was hard for me to swallow, to be honest … [but] I would hate to go out there not knowing exactly what I’m going to get out of myself. That played a big part in the last couple days.“
Davidi mentioned that Gausman’s side session on Thursday likely sets him up to start Game 2 on Saturday. He’s posted a 2.00 ERA across four appearances in the postseason. Gausman earned the win in Toronto’s blowout victory over New York in Game 1 of the ALDS. He was outdueled by Bryce Miller in Game 1 of the ALCS, but was in line for the win in Game 5 until the bullpen ceded five runs in the eighth inning. If Gausman does start on Saturday, he’d be on track to start again in Game 6, if necessary.
