Who Makes Up the Ideal Arms for the Blue Jays Post-Season Bullpen?

Set-up: Seranthony Dominguez & Mason Fluharty

It's a set-up pair that literally nobody would have predicted at the start of the season - considering one was plying their trade with the Orioles, while the other was a complete unknown in the minor leagues.

When it comes to Dominguez - his numbers since joining the Blue Jays have been solid - 17 strikeouts in nearly 14 innings, no runs allowed in 12 of 15 appearances - but the nine walks (and 5.4 BB/9 this season) are likely what has stopped Dominguez from supplanting Hoffman in the closer role.
Having said that, his post season track record - just two earned runs allowed with four walks and 27 strikeouts in 15 appearances - means he'll likely get the first shot at the 9th if Hoffman falters.

Fluharty may seem like a controversial choice, given that he's a rookie, has spent the past two weeks in the minors, and has overall numbers that don't jump off the page.

However, the rook has been a different pitcher since his late June demotion when he added a wiggle in his set position to avoid tipping pitches. In 14 appearances, he allowed just five earned runs - with four allowed in one poor outing against the Royals. Those 12 scoreless outings included that infamous outing against the Dodgers, in which he struck out Shohei Ohtani with the bases loaded and one out en route to his first career save.

Like Dominguez (and most of the Jays bullpen), walks have been an issue for Fluharty, so his hold on a high leverage position could be tenuous.

Middle Relief: Brendon Little, Yariel Rodriguez, Louis Varland & Braydon Fisher

It's a talented group, but also a relatively inexperienced one. Combined, this quartet has a grand total of two post season appearances - both by Varland in the 2023 AL Wild Card Series against the Blue Jays.

It's also a grouping that's had its share of struggles - particularly Varland, who's allowed as many earned runs (11) in 15 appearances as he allowed in 51 appearances with the Twins prior to the trade. Little's strikeout rate (12.68 K/9) is 10th among all relievers this season, while his walk rate (5.82 BB/9) is second-worst. Rodriguez has battled velocity inconsistency, while Fisher has struggled with his control at times.

Performance in the coming days could see these roles shift dramatically. All four have the stuff to potentially work their way into higher leverage - Little could supplant Fluharty, Rodriguez has been considered by many to be a closer-in-waiting.

It's also fair to assume that Varland can't possibly continue to struggle this much, given his recent track record. But if he does, and if Little continues to be allergic to the strike-zone on a consistent basis, both could potentially find themselves watching the post season from the press box.