Toronto rode a sharp start from Gausman, then surged late as Louis Varland shut the door with a 101 mph strikeout to back a four-run burst in both the seventh and eighth innings. The sequence—Gausman’s fifth-inning escape from a bases-loaded jam, then Varland’s high-leverage dominance—punctuated a 10-1 playoff-opening win over the Yankees and underscored Toronto’s bullpen depth and late-inning punch.

For fantasy managers, Varland’s ascent makes the Jays’ bullpen a dynamic asset in postseason rosters, while Roden’s inclusion hints at deeper outfield options behind a steady Gausman. The Yankees’ offense fizzled after the sixth, leaving Toronto’s mound plan and late-game production as the storylines to monitor as the series progresses.

Blue Jays battery powered by early solo shots, then a six-pitch walk by Trent Grisham opened the floodgates as Toronto unraveled the Yankees in a 10-1 rout. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Alejandro Kirk supplied the power, while Kevin Gausman battled through danger with splitter-fueled sequences. Toronto’s bullpen slammed the door and the offense exploded for seven more runs, reshaping the series narrative and highlighting Jays depth for fantasy pivots.

Fantasy angles tilt toward Guerrero Jr. and Kirk as obvious holds; Gausman’s sequence and Varland’s setup inning matter for pitching staff planning; Judge’s big-leverage at-bat remains a focal point for Yankees adjustments. The Jays’ all-around approach signals a blueprint to lean on in a long series.

Toronto blasted the Yankees 10-1 in Game 1 of the ALDS, flashing power and depth as Vladimir Guerrero Jr. opened the scoring with his first postseason homer and finished 3-for-4 with two RBIs. Alejandro Kirk joined the onslaught with two homers, part of a 14-hit attack that kept the lineup buzzing from top to bottom.

New York managed only one extra-base hit—Anthony Volpe's double—as Aaron Judge pressed but produced little impact. Kevin Gausman worked 5.2 innings to quiet the Bronx, and Toronto will ride rookie Trey Yesavage in Game 2, while the Yankees counter with Max Fried in a pivotal rematch of playoff pedigree and depth.

Two ALDS contenders square off in Toronto as the Yankees and Blue Jays open with Luis Gil vs Kevin Gausman. The Jays earned the top seed after posting an 8-5 edge in the season series, while New York advanced by beating Boston in the Wild Card. Cam Schlittler dazzled with eight shutout innings and 12 strikeouts, and Aaron Judge along with Anthony Volpe hit .364 in the set. Toronto’s offense led MLB with a .265 team average and 4.9 runs per game, though Bo Bichette’s knee could swing the series. The opener hinges on Gil’s command against Gausman, bullpen leverage, and current sportsbook trends.