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Blue Jays ALCS pitching plan: bullpen day success vs. veteran starter additions

Originally posted on Bluejaysnation | By Ian Finlayson | Last updated Oct 12, 2025 8:00 AM ET

It’s hard to argue with the effectiveness of the Toronto Blue Jays’ bullpen days in recent weeks.

First came eight innings of one-run ball led by Louis Varland as an opener and Eric Lauer in bulk relief for a crucial win over the Boston Red Sox on September 25, ending a late-season slide. Then, eight relievers contributed to a successful all-hands-on-deck outing in a decisive ALDS Game 4 win over the New York Yankees. In total, the bullpen combined to allow only three runs and 18 baserunners over those 17 innings, striking out 18. That works out to a 1.59 ERA and 1.06 WHIP — elite production when it mattered most.

Bullpen days and bullpen usage in general have become increasingly popular in recent postseasons. The Los Angeles Dodgers used four bullpen days en route to their 2024 World Series title, and relievers have pitched 52% of innings over the last two postseasons — a trend that continues to grow.

Yet there’s also something to be said for the value of savvy veterans like Chris Bassitt and Max Scherzer, especially in a longer seven-game series set to take place over nine days. Kevin Gausman has already been announced as the Game 1 starter, and manager John Schneider has hinted that Trey Yesavage is likely the option for Game 2, leaving Shane Bieber to follow.

Let’s examine both sides of the debate as the Blue Jays prepare for Sunday morning’s 10 a.m. ALCS roster announcement.

Stick With Bullpen Day Success

The postseason is the smallest of samples, so measured, process-based approaches can be thrown out the window in favour of the hot hand. There’s no next month to wait for things to even out.

Varland has experience starting games in previous seasons and has looked comfortable in his recent outings as an opener. Across 3 1/3 scoreless innings in that role, he has struck out five of the 11 batters he’s faced while allowing only one hit — a single to Aaron Judge.

Eric Lauer has been a key to our success this season.

In my view, I would rather him as the bulk guy today over a Bassitt start on the road or a Scherzer start. #BlueJays #ALDS #Postseason #WANTITALL pic.twitter.com/llS1ltUqqD

— Scott BlueJaysAlways (@BluejaysAlways) October 8, 2025

Eric Lauer has also been effective in both roles — as a starter and coming out of the bullpen, whether in bulk relief or higher-leverage spots against lefties. His 1.76 ERA and 0.75 WHIP this season as a reliever were both better than his marks as a starter. Lauer’s 17.2% strikeout-minus-walk rate, a key stat for relievers as it isolates controllable outcomes, ranks fourth among Blue Jays relievers.

Even if one or both of Chris Bassitt and Max Scherzer are added to the roster in place of Tommy Nance or Justin Bruihl, there’s still a chance they’ll be used in bulk roles rather than as traditional starters.

Bassitt threw only 45 pitches over three innings in his last simulated game, and it will have been nearly a month since his last live outing on September 18. Scherzer, meanwhile, struggled with hard contact and home runs down the stretch.

Regardless of roster makeup, a bullpen game allows Schneider to deploy pitchers against optimal matchups based on platoon advantages, swing planes, and pitch repertoire compatibility. So far, Schneider has proven adept at setting his relievers up for success.

Turn to a Veteran Starter

The argument for a traditional four-man rotation in the championship series is twofold. Carrying Scherzer or Bassitt as a starter would ease the strain on the bullpen — but if they struggle early, it leaves one fewer reliever available to clean up.

Forecasting Max Scherzer and Chris Bassitt’s roles on the Blue Jays’ ALCS roster https://t.co/Uuo3uiOMkF

— Blue Jays Nation (@thejaysnation) October 11, 2025

With more off days built into the ALCS schedule, the fatigue of covering a few extra innings with relievers may be worth the trade-off. But relievers are often at their best when properly rested. Jeff Hoffman’s decline in velocity and effectiveness after pitching four times in five days earlier this season serves as a cautionary example.

Scherzer, a three-time Cy Young Award winner, has logged more postseason innings and owns more World Series rings than any other player on the team. Bassitt, meanwhile, has yet to pitch in the postseason in his three years with Toronto. Both have earned the right to start a playoff game. The question is: Does starting them give the Blue Jays the best chance to win?

Recent results suggest the answer may still be sticking with a bullpen day.

This article first appeared on Bluejaysnation and was syndicated with permission.

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