Toronto routed New York 10-1 in Game 1 of the ALDS, stamping its first playoff win since 2016 and shifting momentum squarely in favor of the Blue Jays. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. embraced John Schneider’s “play free” counsel, delivering a game-changing showing that amplified Toronto’s offense even with Bo Bichette sidelined. Across the pond and on social media, Vlad drew a chorus of praise while Yankees chatter turned scathing—Ortiz celebrated Vlad, Jeter and A-Rod dissected Judge’s mechanics, and Smoltz lauded Gausman’s execution. The night left New York reeling and Toronto buzzing.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. opened ALDS Game 1 with a solo homer, setting the tone as the Blue Jays rolled to a 10-1 win over the Yankees.

Ate into New York’s mound with Kevin Gausman on full rest, Toronto got multi-hit nights from Guerrero and Alejandro Kirk, plus two solo blasts from Kirk and a three-RBI night from Nathan Lukes. Bo Bichette’s absence mattered, but the rest of the lineup answered, lifting Toronto’s postseason confidence and snapping a lengthy skid.

Earlier in the year, Guerrero and the Jays locked in a 14-year, $500 million extension, a rallying point for a club that surged down the stretch and reclaimed the AL East. The win underscored Toronto’s readiness for October, with the pitching edge and timely hitting carrying the day as the series shifts south to New York.

Brewers vs. Cubs in the NLDS centers on rest vs. grind. Matthew Boyd’s short rest start for Chicago invites risk while Milwaukee leans on a fast, defense-first lineup featuring Jackson Chourio, Brice Turang, and William Contreras to spark early pressure. Blake Perkins adds elite defense and baserunning value; Sal Frelick provides speed up top. Freddy Peralta’s rest-accustomed ace status looms large as Chicago counters with a resourceful bullpen and a nimble infield led by Nico Hoerner and Dansby Swanson. Michael Busch fuels Cubs’ power, while a leadoff homer and timely defense shape the chase for fantasy relevance in multiple lineups.

Rotation decisions drive fantasy upside: Cubs’ Javier Assad is out of NLDS contention, pushing Boyd into an iffy role on short rest, while Milwaukee’s bullpen usage could tilt leverage and save chances. Chicago’s middle infield defense (Hoerner, Swanson, Crow-Armstrong) pairs with a ground-ball Brewers lineup, making plate discipline and batting order placement hot topics for daily formats. The broader playoff movements include Mariners’ Bryan Woo and Blue Jays’ Bo Bichette, framing the surrounding ALDS chatter around rest and bullpen depth.

Overall, expect a tactical game where rests, bullpen readiness, and strong defensive plays drive fantasy value more than raw power alone. The Brewers’ dynamic up-the-middle trio and Peralta’s readiness could tip timing in Milwaukee’s favor, while Chicago’s power and defense offer counter-punch threats as rotation and roster machinations unfold.

The Blue Jays trimmed their ALDS roster, keeping Bo Bichette out due to knee recovery and ruling him non-usable in a limited role. Toronto pivots to a rotation anchored by Kevin Gausman, with Shane Bieber and Trey Yesavage ready to follow, and Eric Lauer bringing lefty balance. Toronto also juggles shortstop duties with Ernie Clement and Andres Gimenez in the mix. New York adds Luis Gil for Game 1, while veteran Bassitt and max Scherzer are omitted from the pitching staff.

Bichette’s absence tilts offense toward a deeper, more flexible lineup, while the Jays lean on their rotation depth and bullpen options to cover innings. The Yankees’ one roster tweak—Gil’s inclusion—signals a go-for-burst approach in Game 1 as both teams adjust to the high-stakes, low-margin postseason setting.

Toronto Blue Jays omit Max Scherzer, Bo Bichette and Chris Bassitt from their ALDS roster as they face the Yankees, citing Scherzer’s 9.00 ERA over six recent starts and Bichette’s left-knee sprain. Bieber and Gausman anchor Toronto’s rotation with Trey Yesavage in reserve, while four left-handers bolster a depth-heavy staff. New York adds Luis Gil to start the opener, trimming Mark Leiter Jr. Dodgers bring Clayton Kershaw in relief for a likely farewell, Phillies keep Kemp and Wilson but drop Romano and Trivino, Cubs add Ben Brown, and Brewers promote Misiorowski and Gasser while Rhys Hoskins sits out.

With Bichette out, Toronto’s lineup turns to bench and depth options for sustained run production; Scherzer’s absence is a sharp reminder that even veteran names aren’t immune to late-season fade. Dodgers’ setup role for Kershaw will shape NLDS strategy, while Brewers’ rookie pair injects upside into a rotation-heavy playoff path. The rosters highlight the strategic pivots teams make in October to optimize short-series odds.