TORONTO — Before the World Series began, Toronto Blue Jays manager John Schneider joked that Louis Varland had been “in the float tank with cucumbers on his eyes getting a foot rub” after pitching in 10 of the team’s first 11 post-season games.

But once the Blue Jays took a nine-run lead in Game 1, it became apparent that they wouldn’t need to use Varland or closer Jeff Hoffman, easing the strain on relievers who have been heavily taxed this month. Both will now be available for Game 2 Saturday (8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT, Sportsnet, Sportsnet+) with a maximum of one appearance apiece before the series shifts to Los Angeles.

“I mean, that’s massive,” outfielder Myles Straw said. “We’re going to need them all throughout the whole series. We have faith in every single one of those guys. They ju

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