Jeff Hoffman stars out of Blue Jays bullpen in ALCS Game 6

TORONTO – Needing six outs to force a Game 7 of the American League Championship Series, Blue Jays manager John Schneider went to his best.

After Fridayâ€s bullpen meltdown in Seattle, there were no questions about matchups, handedness or saving a reliever for later. The eighth and ninth innings were Jeff Hoffmanâ€s, and the closer delivered the two most important innings he has thrown so far as a Blue Jay, closing out Torontoâ€s 6-2 win over the Mariners to force Game 7 of the ALCS on Monday night at Rogers Centre.

The heart of the Mariners†order was due up in the eighth, with switch-hitting catcher Cal Raleigh leading off, followed by switch-hitter Jorge Polanco and lefty Josh Naylor. That was the same situation the Blue Jays faced in Game 5, although they were leading by one at that point and not by four like they were on Sunday.

It did not work then with Brendon Little, but Hoffman got Raleigh and Polanco to strike out swinging, followed by a flyout from Naylor to end the eighth. Hoffman struck out the first two batters of the ninth, walked J.P. Crawford but got a popout from Dominic Canzone to send this series to Game 7.

“I think we took a shot right there to shut the door with Hoff, knowing how important this game is,†Kevin Gausman said. “Whether that affects tomorrow, we donâ€t know. Weâ€ll see how those guys feel coming in tomorrow. But weâ€ve got a lot of other guys who are ready to go and fresh. If we need to pick up an inning or so, itâ€s all hands on deck.â€

As inconsistent as Hoffman has been this year, Sunday night was why the Blue Jays signed him to a three-year, $33 million contract this past offseason. Schneider has consistently put his trust behind the right-hander despite a 4.37 regular-season ERA and seven blown saves, which was tied with 10 other relievers for fourth most in MLB.

But Hoffman has been the Blue Jays†guy at the back end of the bullpen. The 32-year-old threw 1 1/3 innings in Game 4 of the AL Division Series against the Yankees, but he hadnâ€t thrown two innings since April 30. But when Raleigh was due to lead off the eighth, Hoffman knew he would likely throw two innings Sunday.

“Now itâ€s just about recovering and getting ready for tomorrow,†Hoffman said.

Yes, tomorrow. The Blue Jays got there. Now they have to figure out how to get 27 outs and send this franchise to its first World Series since 1993.

And everybody will be available to pitch behind starter Shane Bieber, who gave the Blue Jays their first win of the ALCS in Game 3.

“Everyone’s available tomorrow,†Schneider said. “Biebs is obviously starting, so that takes him out of the equation in the bullpen, but every single person that is active on our roster will be available to play tomorrow.â€

Hoffman added: “If youâ€re not [ready], I donâ€t know if you have a pulse. This is why we do it. To have an opportunity like this – to do something special. Iâ€m pretty sure everybody will be fighting to get on the field tomorrow.â€

That will include the usual suspects out of the ‘pen. Louie Varland, who threw 22 pitches (11 strikes) over 1 1/3 innings, can be available for those middle bridge innings. Hoffman, who threw 35 pitches (23 strikes) on Sunday, said heâ€ll be ready to go for Game 7. The Blue Jays can turn to Seranthony Domínguez late in the game, too.

But that group will also include Max Scherzer and Gausman, who pitched Games 4 and 5, respectively. The Mariners have performed much better against the Blue Jays†relievers in this series than the starting pitchers:

Mariners vs. Blue Jays rotation: 132 PA, .198/.295/.371, .666 OPS, 6 HR
Mariners vs. Blue Jays bullpen: 89 PA, .247/.337/.519, .856 OPS, 6 HR

In a win-or-go-home game, teams are sure to have a few tricks up their sleeves. And the Blue Jays are going to need everyone to keep this season going. That includes a stable of arms ready to step up.

“They were awesome [Sunday],†third baseman Ernie Clement said. “We trust those guys in any situation. We know theyâ€re going to have to come up big tomorrow as well. Theyâ€ll do it.â€

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