Tuesday’s game wasn’t a good one for the Toronto Blue Jays.

Leading 6-1 in the top of the third on Tuesday, the Blue Jays allowed the New York Yankees back into the game and eventually lost 9-6. During the regular season, the Blue Jays closed out every single game they had a five-run or more lead, going 39-0. As poorly as that game went, the Jays beat themselves, as two errors directly led to four runs. They allowed even more runs on defensive plays they should have made.

They’re back in action on Wednesday, and there are two concerning factors heading into this game. First is the fact that the Blue Jays will have a bullpen day, starting Louis Varland. As you know, Varland gave up the game-tying home run to Aaron Judge in Tuesday’s game. That said, in their most recent bullpen game in the penultimate series of the season, Varland kicked it off with two perfect innings and three strikeouts. The Jays’ bullpen went on to pitch six + perfect innings in that game.

The other area of concern for the Blue Jays is Yankees starter Cam Schlittler. In 14 starts this season, the 24-year-old has a 2.96 ERA and 3.74 FIP in 73 innings pitched. In his most recent start, Game 3 of the American League Wild Card Series, he pitched eight scoreless innings with 12 strikeouts.

It’s not all bad news for the Blue Jays, though. His last start was his best start of his career, but the last time he faced the Blue Jays was the worst start of his career. After giving up four earned runs, Schlittler was yanked after an inning and two-thirds. His first start against them saw him give up two earned runs in five innings. All of this is to say that the Blue Jays have found success facing the 24-year-old.

On the hitting side of things, the Jays return to a similar lineup they had in Game 1 due to Schlittler being a right-handed pitcher. George Springer leads off, followed by Nathan Lukes and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Addison Barger bats cleanup, followed by Alejandro Kirk, Daulton Varsho, and Anthony Santander. Ernie Clement and Andrés Giménez are their final two hitters.

A win means that the Blue Jays head to the American League Championship Series, something they haven’t achieved since 2016. A loss means that the two teams return to Toronto for a winner-take-all game on Friday. Please win.

Toronto Blue Jays – Louis Varland: 4-3 record, 2.97 ERA, 72.2 IP, 75 SO, 22 BB

New York Yankees – Cam Schlittler: 4-3 record, 2.96 ERA, 73 IP, 84 SO, 31 BB