Who has the upper hand at each position between the Blue Jays and Yankees in the ALDS

Designated hitter - George Springer vs Giancarlo Stanton

This position will likely go to Springer in the ALDS, although if the Blue Jays advance to the ALCS and Bichette is healthy, Bichette will slot here to give him less strain on his knee. That will move Springer to left field, because the Blue Jays need the 31-year-old's bat in the lineup.

Springer has broken out this season, hitting his most home runs (32) and RBIs (84) since the 2019 season. He brings seven years of postseason experience, during which he has performed exceptionally well, hitting 19 home runs and knocking in 38.

Stanton had a productive regular season with 24 home runs and 66 knocked in, but he only played in 77 games due to having offseason elbow surgery and didn't return until June 16. This is his seventeenth postseason trip, where he’s been a massive contributor. Last season, on the way to a World Series trip, he hit seven home runs and knocked in 16.

Advantage: Blue Jays

Starting pitchers

This analysis will be close as both teams have had solid starting pitcher performances this season. The Blue Jays will likely go with Kevin Gausman, Shane Bieber, and Trey Yesavage, with either Chris Bassitt or Max Scherzer in game four.

Gausman has been elite all season long, but has struggled in his three postseason starts (6.60 ERA). Bieber has been solid since returning from 2024 Tommy John surgery. He's made seven starts and has a 3.57 ERA. Yesavage was called up in September and will make his first postseason start. Lack of experience may hurt the Blue Jays.

The Yankees’ starting pitchers have been up and down all season, but they have only allowed three earned runs in 20 1/3 innings in the Wild Card series. All three runs came off Carlos Rodon. The Yankees have named Luis Gil the starter for game one, with Max Fried, Rodon, and Cam Schlitter starting the following three games.

Advantage: Yankees

Relief pitchers

Both teams’ bullpens are the weaker part of their pitching staff, so you'll likely see the starters go deep into the game if possible. The Blue Jays had the 16th-ranked bullpen in ERA (3.98), but their performances were inconsistent throughout the season. Their closer, Jeff Hoffman, had a 4.37 ERA during the regular season, but had a 0.84 ERA down the stretch.

Seranthony Domínguez came over at the trade deadline from the Orioles and had a solid showing with a 3.00 ERA in the second half, but fellow trade acquisition from the Minnesota Twins, Louis Varland, struggled in the second half (4.94). However, he had six scoreless innings in seven final appearances down the stretch.

The Yankees had the 23rd bullpen in ERA (4.37) and showed the struggles in game one of the Wild Card series when Luke Weaver gave up two earned runs on two hits and a walk without getting an out after Max Fried went 6 1/3 innings. David Bednar also gave up an earned run off two hits in 2/3 innings. Watch for the starters to go as deep as possible so they don't have to rely on the bullpen as much.

Advantage: Blue Jays