logo
Blue Jays: Chris Bassitt has excelled as a high-leverage reliever in the postseason
alt
Photo credit: © Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images
Ryley Delaney
Nov 1, 2025, 19:45 EDTUpdated: Nov 1, 2025, 19:47 EDT
Comments
Chris Bassitt has been nails this postseason.
The 36-year-old right-handed pitcher has been a starter since becoming a regular full-time big leaguer in 2019. He made three relief appearances that season, but has made just one in the regular season since, in the final game before the 2025 All-Star Game.
Bassitt’s regular season ended early, as he was placed on the Injured List about a week before the end of the season, and wasn’t included on the Toronto Blue Jays’ American League Divisional Series roster.
When Bassitt was finally added to the roster ahead of the American League Championship Series, the veteran was moved to the bullpen. Instead of being upset, the 36-year-old has been lights out.
In the 13 games he’s been on the roster for, Bassitt has pitched in six of them. Through 7.2 innings of work, he’s given up no earned runs, while giving up a hit and a walk. On top of that, Bassitt has struck out 41.7% of the batters he’s faced.
What’s more impressive is that Bassitt has done this in leverage. Of the six games he’s appeared in, four have been in a close game. The earliest he’s entered a game was in the seventh inning, with the veteran usually being used in the eighth inning, becoming somewhat of a setup reliever for Jeff Hoffman.
Bassitt can also give the Blue Jays length if needed. There’s no better example of this than Game 4 of the World Series. The night before, the two teams played 18 innings, leaving the Blue Jays’ bullpen exhausted. After Shane Bieber pitched six innings, in came Bassitt, who pitched two innings en route to tying the series.
A free agent after the season, it may be worth it for the Blue Jays to bring in Bassitt as a reliever, because he’s adjusted to the role flawlessly. If the Blue Jays end up winning the World Series on Saturday, Bassitt will be a big reason why.
Ryley Delaney is a Nation Network writer for Blue Jays Nation, Oilersnation, and FlamesNation. She can be followed on Twitter @Ryley__Delaney.

Featured

Editorials

Breaking News