While the Blue Jays sit at home 3 former players are headed to the World Series
Photo credit: Chattanooga Times Free Press
The Toronto Blue Jays were unable to even get their foot in the 2024 MLB playoffs but 3 former players are headed to the World Series with the New York Yankees after last night's win against the Cleveland Guardians.
The Yankees took on the Guardians last night in game 5 of the American League Championship Series and after being down 2-0, a two run homerun from Giancarlo Stanton followed by a three run homerun by Juan Soto gave them the 5-2 win and a World Series birth.
Three former Blue Jays players are headed to the World Series
As the Yankees are headed to the World Series so will 3 former Blue Jays players which all happen to be pitchers.
First their is Tim Mayza who has had an incredible turn around this season after a terrible first half with the Blue Jays which led to him being put on waivers then claimed by the Yankees. In New York, Mayza's game improved dramatically and was actually a big part of the Yankees bullpen throughout the playoffs.
This October, Mayza has been used twice out of the bullpen and has allowed just two hits and two walks through 1 1/3 innings while striking out one batter, Kyle Isbel on the Kansas City Royals during the ALDS. The southpaw made one appearance in the ALDS and ALCS. -Shushkewich
Tim Mayza is going to the World Series. #BlueJays
Another former Blue Jays headed to his first World Series is former ace Marcus Stroman who was left off the roster in the ALDS but put on the roster in the ALCS but has yet to take the mound for the Yankees in the playoffs.
Lastly there's Mark Leiter Jr who's time in Toronto only lasted 8 games in 2018 before being released but has since turned his career around and actually took the mound in game 4 and 5 of the ALCS.
Leiter Jr. was left off the initial ALDS and ALCS roster announcements but was added on October 18th in place of Ian Hamilton, who injured his calf earlier in the series. The right-hander made appearances in both Game 4 and Game 5 in the series, allowing two hits, three walks, and one earned run through 2 1/3 innings collectively. -Shushkewich
