Did the Blue Jays just lose all of their momentum from a 2-0 series lead?

Two games into the American League Division Series, the Toronto Blue Jays appeared to be an unstoppable force. Against one of the top teams in the entire league in the New York Yankees, the Blue Jays made it look like they were using their pitchers as batting practice as they outscored the Yankees 23-8 in the process.

Even two and a half innings into Game 3, it appeared that Toronto was going to cruise to a series sweep as the Jays built up a 6-1 lead while knocking out another New York starter early once again in Carlos Rodon. However, the wheels began to fall off and the Yankees’ offense exploded and stormed back to a massive 9-6 come-from-behind victory.

Did the Blue Jays just lose all of their momentum from a 2-0 series lead?

This wasn’t just a blip on the radar. In fact, multiple aspects of the Jays game fell apart in the Game 3 loss. First and foremost, Toronto’s defense, which had been one of the best in the league all season, became their Achilles heel on Tuesday. Two key errors eventually led to four Yankees runs, which turned out to be the difference in the game.

Had the Jays started Myles Straw and/or Nathan Lukes and not use Anthony Santander or bring in Addison Barger made a difference? No one knows for sure, but most likely it could have.

Secondly, the prolific Jays hitting actually went pretty much silent following the third inning after the Yankees brought in their bullpen. Whatever had been clicking for Toronto was neutralized by New York a few innings into Game 3. In doing so, it also gave the Yankees renewed confidence that their pitching can actually shut down the Blue Jays.

In addition, smart managing is one thing, but overmanaging could actually come back to bite the Blue Jays if done too excessively. Blue Jays manager John Schneider already had a glimpse of that in Game 2 after he gave rookie Trey Yesavage the early hook as the Yankees clobbered the Blue Jays bullpen.

That time, Toronto had built up a sizeable lead so they didn’t end up suffering the consequences. But on Tuesday, taking starter Shane Bieber out of the game early to expose their vulnerable relievers to the Yankees again, along with removing Isiah Kiner-Falefa for Barger early both came back to haunt the Jays.

And to top it off, trying to insert the 100-mph Louis Varland to face Aaron Judge who has two career hits off of him, both being home runs? Let’s just say that also proved to be not a good idea.

As a result, the Yankees have likely tilted the momentum in their favour now. Especially with their standout rookie Cam Schlittler set to go in Game 4 after his elite performance from the AL Wild Card Series against Boston, and the fact the Yankees will get to face the Jays battered relief corps once again in a bullpen game for Toronto on Wednesday.

The Jays will still have Yesavage and Kevin Gausman ready to go for Game 5 if necessary. But if the Yankees’ offense is flying by that time, it may no longer make a difference. Therefore, the Blue Jays need their bullpen to come up big in Game 4 and stop the Yankees before it’s too late.