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.

Blue Jays surged from last to first in the AL East, riding a resilient, high-contact offense and a bullpen that found traction late. The season was defined by come-from-behind wins, depth contributions from a rotating cast, and a compelling postseason storyline centered on Guerrero Jr. and a cohesive, team-first approach that answered every doubter. The club’s 94-win pace underscores a final, unglamorous but powerful message: depth and belief can carry a contender through October.

Behind the scenes, Lauer anchored a stabilizing rotation, while a corps of role players — Barger, Clement, Lukes, Schneider — powered surge moments. The front office weathered criticism but stayed the course, setting up a playoff narrative where Guerrero’s October upside and Hoffman’s ninth-inning poise could decide much more than a single series. Fantasy players should note the shift in run-production balance and the evolving bullpen roles as Kansas City-level surprises become Toronto-specific edge.