Projecting the Toronto Blue Jays’ 2025 Postseason Lineup

Vladimir Guerrero Jr., George Springer, and the Toronto Blue Jays are closing in on their fourth postseason berth in six years, though there’s still some business to sort out.

First off, Toronto needs to clinch the AL East and hold off both the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox. The Blue Jays entered play on Sept. 17 with a five-game lead over Judge’s Yankees, who are on track to earn the AL’s top Wild Card seed.

Next up, they need to maintain their four-game lead over the Detroit Tigers for the AL’s No. 1 seed. Remember: the No. 1 seed has home-field advantage in the ALCS!

Finally, Toronto needs to get All-Star shortstop Bo Bichette healthy ASAP. Bichette suffered a left knee injury in a mid-September series against the Yankees, though he avoided any tear or significant damage.

Then comes Oct. 4, when the Blue Jays would open the Division Series against the AL’s top remaining seed if all goes to plan. But what could their Game 1 lineup look like? Here’s our best guess:

Barring disaster, Springer, Guerrero, and Giménez are locked into hitting leadoff, third, and ninth, respectively. Bichette’s health will determine who hits cleanup — Addison Barger has primarily manned the cleanup spot since Bichette went on the injured list earlier this month — and if Giménez will play shortstop or second base.

Bichette’s absence would send Giménez to shortstop. Clement, who has been worth 3.7 bWAR with 31 doubles in 550 plate appearances, would slide into second base in Bichette’s absence, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Although Clement’s 10.9% strikeout rate has increased from last year’s 9.1%, it’s still well below the league average of 22.1%.

Kirk is a solid catcher who has reached base at a .357 clip, slightly above his .347 lifetime average. He’s also added a career-high 68 RBIs and cut his strikeout rate from 13.2% to 11.6%. If it sounds like we often reference strikeout rate, we suggest watching a full nine-inning playoff game to understand just how much a timely punchout matters.