Blue Jays Shake Up Pitching Staff As October Rotation Questions Loom

Toronto remains in control of the division at 89–65, three games ahead of the Yankees, and is still in the mix for the American League’s best record. That’s why this isn’t about punishment — it’s about positioning. Berrios (9–5, 4.06 ERA) has been steady but not dominant, and Schneider wants another swing arm to bridge innings in September and beyond.

The move also creates space for rookie Trey Yesavage, whose emergence gives Toronto a new look in the rotation. It’s the kind of late-season injection that can reshape a pitching plan heading into October.

And that plan is where things get interesting. The Blue Jays will need to set a postseason rotation.

Scherzer (5–4, 5.06) is a wild card, as he's been brilliant at times, shaky at others.

Since arriving in Toronto, Shane Bieber has gone 3-1 with a 3.72 ERA and 1.00 WHIP over 29 innings, giving up just one run in six dominant innings in his debut. But it is a small sample size.

Kevin Gausman (10–10, 3.38 ERA) has been the most consistent, making him the safe bet for Game 1. Chris Bassitt (11–9, 3.96) has given them reliability, if not dominance. Yesavage adds intrigue, with the rookie’s fresh arm and fearless approach putting him in the mix.

Berrios’ shift is about flexibility now, but it also hints at October strategy. Contenders often weaponize a starter as a multi-inning reliever, and the Jays are clearly leaning that way. How they sort Scherzer, Gausman, Bassitt, and Yesavage into a playoff rotation could define whether Toronto just wins the division — or finally makes a deep run.