Introduction to the ALDS
The New York Yankees will not see the Toronto Blue Jays’ star shortstop Bo Bichette in the 2025 American League Divisional Series, which begins on Saturday evening up north.
The 27-year-old has been out since Sept. 6 with a left-knee sprain, but has come far enough along where manager John Schneider admitted on Friday that his presence on the ALDS roster could come “right down to the wire.”
Sep 28, 2025; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Bo Bichette (11) celebrates with teammates after a win over the Tampa Bay Rays clinched first place in the American League East Division at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
Bichette’s Season Performance
Bichette is coming off one of his finest years as a pro, batting .311 with an .840 OPS, 18 home runs, and 94 RBI. Despite playing in only 139 games, he still ranked second in the American League with 181 hits behind only Bobby Witt Jr. of the Kansas City Royals.
Impact on the Blue Jays
Alongside superstar first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Bichette is a foundational piece of a Blue Jays team that won the American League East via a tiebreaker over the Yankees behind a 94-68 record. This was the first time since 2015 that Toronto won the division, and it earned them the No. 1 overall seed in the American League this postseason.
Yankees’ Advantage
Bichette’s absence is the second notable opposing star in as many series that the Yankees get the benefit of avoiding. Boston Red Sox top prospect Roman Anthony was unavailable for the Wild Card Series due to an oblique injury. The Bronx Bombers became the first team in this current format to come back from an 0-1 deficit to win the best-of-three series, doing so on Thursday night behind the brilliance of Cam Schlittler.
Upcoming Game
First pitch for Game 1 of the ALDS is scheduled for 4:08 p.m. ET, with Luis Gil getting the ball for New York against Toronto’s Kevin Guasman.
Conclusion
The absence of Bo Bichette from the ALDS roster could significantly impact the series, given his impressive performance this season. The Yankees will look to capitalize on this advantage and make a strong start to the series.
FAQs
For more on the Yankees, visit AMNY.com
Q: Who will the Yankees face in the ALDS?
A: The Yankees will face the Toronto Blue Jays in the ALDS.
Q: Who is the star shortstop for the Blue Jays that will not be playing in the ALDS?
A: Bo Bichette will not be playing in the ALDS due to a left-knee sprain.
Q: When is the first pitch for Game 1 of the ALDS?
A: First pitch for Game 1 of the ALDS is scheduled for 4:08 p.m. ET.
