TORONTO – Once the initial shock of the Toronto Blue Jays leaving both Max Scherzer and Chris Bassitt off their American League Division Series roster wore off, their pitching strategy for the best-of-five versus the New York Yankees became apparent. Play it straight in Games 1 and 3 with Kevin Gausman and Shane Bieber. Take all rookie Trey Yesavage has to offer in Game 2 and then lean on the bullpen, as needed.

If the series gets there, wing it during a Game 4 in which last week’s Louis Varland/Eric Lauer-led bullpen day may well be the model, with Gausman ready for a potential Game 5. Finally, use the four lefties in a 10-man bullpen to try and neutralize the left-handed hitters around Aaron Judge, in particular, and Giancarlo Stanton, with a variety of different looks while retaining t

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