The Toronto Blue Jays commenced their post-season journey on Tuesday afternoon to a somber start, succumbing to a 3-1 defeat at the hands of the Minnesota Twins at the bustling Target Field.
The Twins populated the scoreboard with the help of Royce Lewis, who hit two home runs, facilitating Minnesota’s win in the inaugural best-of-three American League wild-card series. The win also put a stop to their previous 18-game playoff losing streak.
Despite a total of six hits, the Blue Jays’ starter, Kevin Gausman, could only sustain a four-inning streak. Having a 12-9 regular season record, Gausman handed over three earned runs, three hits, and three walks, regardless of his five strikeouts.
For the Twins, Pablo Lopez delivered an impressive performance in his 5 2/3-inning cameo, surrendering just one earned run and five hits. In the climax, Jhoan Duran triumphed with a decisive two-out walk to Whit Merrifield before solidifying the save.
The second game is slated for Wednesday afternoon, with the AL Central Division champion Twins hosting the series as the higher-seeded team. Buying a ticket to failure for the sixth time, and trailing back to 2016, the Blue Jays marked another loss for their post-season record. As a result, they grappled with a series sweep for the wild-card round within the last three years.
Edouard Julien, a native of Quebec City, boarded with a lead-off walk. Lewis then sharply pivoted on a full-count pitch from Gausman, electrifying the present crowd of 38,450. However, Gausman, troubled with his PitchCom electronic pitch-calling device, completed his 26-pitch inning with a successful strikeout against Carlos Correa.
The third inning saw a repeat of Lewis’ incredible form, belting a 3-1 pitch off the facing of the second deck in the right field. On the flip side, Lopez refrained from giving up a hit until Bo Bichette struck a one-out single in the fourth.
Later in the sixth inning, Bichette marked one for the Blue Jays by scoring on a single by Kiermaier, trailing Lopez for the day after walking a pair and three strikeouts. Yet, Minnesota’s lead was magnificently preserved by Taylor, who remarkably snatched Chapman’s deep drive at the top of the wall.
Despite a spark of hope following Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s leadoff double in the eighth inning, the Blue Jays’ attempt to level the score was thwarted by Griffin Jax, quickly pulling two strikeouts and grounding out Kirk.
Earlier in the day, the Blue Jays had proudly announced their 26-man wild-card series roster, consisting of 14 position players and 12 pitchers. Unfortunately, veteran starter Hyun Jin Ryu and reliever Bowden Francis were omitted, whereas infielder Davis Schneider and speedy backup outfielder Cam Eden were favored.
The spotlight now shifts to Jose Berrios, who is pegged to start Game 2 for the Blue Jays against Sonny Gray. A third match, if needed, is planned for Thursday. Despite the Blue Jays’ superior regular-season record (89-73) to Minnesota’s (87-75), the Twins hold the higher seed as division winners.
Potentially victorious in this series, the winner will progress to face the Houston Astros in the AL Division Series. Come Tuesday or Wednesday, Toronto’s Chris Bassitt, who is the anticipated choice for the Game 3 starter, will make it official, following his lead with Zach Elfin at the A.L topping with 16 wins.
In historical context, Lewis’ performance resonates with Evan Longoria (2008) and Gary Gaetti (1987), as the third player known to have hit home runs in each of his first two playoff plate appearances.
Previously, the Twins and Blue Jays clashed in the 1991 AL Championship Series, with Minnesota being victorious in five games. However, Toronto emerged as champions in the succeeding World Series in 1992 and 1993.
The stage is now set for Berrios, the Toronto right-hander, who will face his former team, the Minnesota Twins, in a playoff setting. Being drafted by Minnesota in 2012, Berrios enjoyed six seasons with the Twins.
