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Inbox: Sanchez in line for potential WC Game?
- Updated: September 22, 2016
Who do you think would start the Wild Card Game if that’s where Toronto finishes? — Shawn S., Rochester, N.Y.
The starter for that game would depend entirely on how the Blue Jays finish the season, but the most likely candidate appears to be Aaron Sanchez. Toronto’s rotation is currently lined up to feature Marco Estrada, J.A. Happ and Sanchez, in that order, for the final regular-season series of the year in Boston.
Sanchez is tentatively scheduled for the last game on Sunday, Oct. 2, but if the matchup does not matter in the standings, he would be pushed back for Tuesday’s potential American League Wild Card Game. If Toronto needs to go all hands on deck vs. Boston, then it’s possible Estrada could be brought back on three days’ rest, but that seems unlikely at this point.
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Who would you use in the eighth inning of the Wild Card Game with the Blue Jays up by one run? — Desmond, Halifax, Nova Scotia
One-run lead in the eighth inning of an elimination game? I’m going with Roberto Osuna. Toronto’s closer has tossed two full innings just once this season, but he does have eight appearances with more than three outs. Setup men Joaquin Benoit and Jason Grilli have done a great job, but in this type of must-win situation, I’d force the issue and go with the best relief arm for two full innings.
Has R.A. Dickey made his final start for the Blue Jays? — Joel M., Moncton, New Brunswick
Dickey is not expected to make another start, but that could change if the Boston series does not have postseason implications. If Toronto is getting ready for the AL Wild Card Game, then Sanchez would likely be pushed back and Dickey could start the finale instead.
Until then, Dickey is available out of the bullpen, but his appearances will be sporadic. He entered Wednesday’s series finale against the Mariners during extra innings, and he could see …
