Toronto Blue Jays eliminate New York Yankees and are headed to the ALCS

For the first time in nearly a decade, the Toronto Blue Jays will be playing in the American League Championship Series.

The Blue Jays beat the New York Yankees 5-2 in Game 4 on Wednesday to punch their ticket to the ALCS, where they will play either the Detroit Tigers or Seattle Mariners.

 

 

 

 

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With no starter to call upon in Wednesday's outing, the Blue Jays were instead forced to have a bullpen day, and their arms came through. Louis Varland, Mason Fluharty, Seranthony Dominguez, Eric Lauer, Yariel Rodriguez, Brendon Little, Braydon Fischer, and Jeff Hoffman all combined to give up just one run to the hard-hitting Yankees.

This marks the first ALCS appearance for the Blue Jays since 2016, where they fell to Cleveland 4-1. They also reached the ALCS in 2015, losing to Kansas City in six games. Both of those teams featured some former Jays icons including the likes of Jose Bautista, Edwin Encarnacion, and Josh Donaldson.

The Blue Jays will be looking for a different fate this time around, as they aim to go to the World Series for the first time since 1993, when they won their second of back-to-back championships.

This year's ALCS is set to get underway on Sunday. The Tigers and Mariners are currently tied at two wins apiece, with Game 5 set to come on Friday. Regardless of the winner, the Blue Jays will have home-field advantage.

This extended break gives the Blue Jays, and particularly their pitchers, a chance to get some rest. It may also allow for Bo Bichette to return to the lineup. The 27-year-old shortstop is continuing to recover from a PCL sprain in his left knee, but was spotted doing light running drills on Wednesday morning.