The Toronto Blue Jays face the New York Yankees on October 4, 2023, in Game 4 of the American League Division Series (ALDS), with the Blue Jays leading the series 2-1. A victory would secure their advancement to the American League Championship Series (ALCS). The matchup is set to take place at Yankee Stadium in New York, beginning at 19:08 EDT.
Both teams finished the regular season with identical records of 94-68. The Yankees, holding a home record of 50-31, boast the second-best on-base percentage in the American League at .332. The Blue Jays have shown resilience on the road with a 40-41 record, while their team batting average of .265 is the highest in Major League Baseball.
Key Players to Watch
The pitching duel will feature Toronto’s Louie Varland, who has a record of 4-3 and an earned run average (ERA) of 2.97. He will face New York’s Cam Schlittler, also with a 4-3 record and a similar ERA of 2.96. Both pitchers have been instrumental for their respective teams, with Schlittler recording 84 strikeouts compared to Varland’s 75.
On the offensive front, Yankees’ standout Aaron Judge has been in top form, going 17 for 36 with three home runs in the last ten games. Meanwhile, George Springer leads the Blue Jays with 32 home runs, contributing to the team’s robust hitting lineup.
Recent Performance and Injuries
Both teams have entered the playoffs with impressive momentum, each boasting a 7-3 record in their last ten games. The Yankees have maintained a batting average of .255 and a 4.60 ERA, while the Blue Jays have excelled with a batting average of .277 and a much lower ERA of 3.94, outscoring their opponents by 26 runs during that span.
In terms of injuries, the Yankees are facing significant challenges with several key players on the injured list, including Brent Headrick and Gerrit Cole. The Blue Jays are also impacted, with players like Jose Berrios and Bo Bichette sidelined.
As the teams prepare for this crucial matchup, the outcome could determine the trajectory of their postseason aspirations. The stakes are high, and both teams are poised to deliver an exciting game in front of an eager crowd at Yankee Stadium.