MLB Odds: Blue Jays shortstop Bo Bichette unlikely to return for ALDS
The Toronto Blue Jays earned some extra rest by winning the AL East and receiving a bye to the American League Divisional Series. Unfortunately, the extra time off likely isn’t long enough to get shortstop Bo Bichette back into the lineup.
Here’s what we know.
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Bo Bichette
Bichette has been out of the lineup since Sept. 7 as he deals with a knee injury.
The pending free agent has said he’s doing everything he can to be back for Game 1 of the ALDS on Saturday. However, ESPN’s Buster Olney is reporting Bichette likely won’t be ready this weekend.
“The Blue Jays have really kept the medical stuff locked down,” said Olney on a radio hit. “I don’t think he’s going to play in the ALDS. It’s unlikely we’re going to see him this weekend. He’s going to give it a go this week and see how he feels. I think it’s more likely that if the Jays advance, we’ll see him in the ALCS.”
The 27-year-old Bichette finished the regular season hitting .311 with 18 home runs and 94 RBIs. He led the American League in hits at the time of his injury and still finished the year second in the AL with 181.
Toronto Blue Jays
The good news is Toronto’s offence is coming alive at the right time. The Jays lit up Tampa Bay in the final series of the regular season, averaging 7.33 runs runs per game over the three contests. It was a welcome change after the offence struggled to produce runs in their previous two series’ against Boston and Kansas City.
The newfound production gives manager John Schneider something to think about as he decides what’s better for the lineup between a hampered Bichette or someone fully healthy.
Toronto will face the winner of the wild-card series between the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox. The Blue Jays have identical 8-5 winning records against both teams this season.
Toronto enters the postseason tied with the Yankees for the fifth-shortest odds to win the World series at +700 each. The Jays have the second-shortest odds to win the American League pennant at +275.
