#george-springer

#george-springer

It was reported that Bo Bichette will be in the lineup no matter what, with his position depending on whether Springer starts. If Springer doesn't start, Bichette will play as the team's designated hitter, meaning that he'll likely stay in the game without being pulled. With Bichette filling in as the designated hitter, it means that the Jays will likely have to turn to Isiah Kiner-Falefa to play second base, which isn't ideal.

"I mean, at the end of the day, I have a job to do and have a game to focus on," Springer said. "So that's kind of the plan."

It was a great rebound season for Bichette after a disastrous 2024. In 628 plate appearances, Bichette slashed .311/.357/.483 with 18 home runs for a 134 wRC+, the best mark of his career. His 181 hits finished second in the league, with only Bobby Witt Jr.'s 184 hits surpassing his total. It's worth noting that Bichette missed the final three weeks of the season. Witt Jr. is also nominated for the Silver Slugger Award at shortstop, as is Jeremy Peña of the Houston Astros.

I was fortunate to get my hands on a Game 7 ticket when they first went on sale. Admittedly, my faith wavered at points during the series, especially when the Toronto Blue Jays were down 2-0 and the debacle that was the eighth inning in Game 5. Thankfully, I held on to the ticket, and I can say that it was the best experience of my life. Here's what it felt like at the ball park.

"Feeling better today. CT scan he got last night, negative," said Schneider at a news conference during optional workouts at Rogers Centre on Saturday. "Just a contusion, as we say. "But he's getting treatment, he's going to be doing some stuff here in a little bit, probably moving around. But feeling a lot better than he did yesterday." Schneider said Springer got treatment on Saturday and was expected to test his knee in a team workout.

Springer, Toronto's leadoff hitter, was struck on the right kneecap by a 95.6 mph pitch from Bryan Woo in the seventh inning of Friday's 6-2 loss and left the game. Seattle leads the best-of-seven series 3-2. The 36-year-old Springer, a four-time All-Star, is hitting .256 with three home runs and five doubles this postseason. His 22 career playoff homers are tied with Bernie Williams for fourth most. Schneider said Springer got treatment on Saturday and was expected to test his knee in a team workout.

Springer, who won the 2017 World Series with the Houston Astros under controversial circumstances and was named World Series MVP, grew up just outside of Hartford in New Britain, Connecticut. He was seven when the Whalers left Connecticut for Carolina to become the Hartford Whalers. His Whalers fandom is well known, and he has been seen wearing Whalers apparel throughout his playing career. A young Blue Jays fan even asked Springer to sign a Whalers hat for her last spring training.