The Toronto Blue Jays hosted the New York Yankees in the ALDS Game 1 in their first-ever meeting in October after ending their season with the same 94-68 record and a tiebreaker. And the Yankees, after a tough Wild Card series against the Red Sox, dropped their first game in a brutal 10-1 loss. When a reporter asked Aaron Judge about the frustration of not getting the big hit, the Yankees captain acknowledged the failure but quickly showed his confidence and hope for the future.

“Took some tough pitches, but in the end I didn’t get the job done. That’s what it comes down to, just not doing the job,” Judge said. The slugger later admitted, “Yeah, we had an opportunity. You know, no outs, bases loaded… couldn’t really get anything after that. But I like our chances. We’ve got to keep getting those- getting those opportunities and, you know, we’re gonna come through when we need to.” 

The game was a tight 2-0 affair for five long innings. Then, in the top of the sixth, the Yankees finally got their chance.

The rally started with shortstop Anthony Volpe’s double off the wall and continued with Austin Wells’s single and Trent Grisham’s walk with nobody out. It was the perfect moment they were waiting for because the heart of the New York lineup, Aaron Judge, was next to come.

But Judge, who had two hits for the Yankees that night, got struck out in the game’s biggest moment on a 3-2 count. Thankfully, Cody Bellinger drew a walk that forced the only run of the game. But the sixth inning ended after Ben Rice popped out, and Giancarlo Stanton was struck out with the bases loaded. 

Yet, Judge has his confidence, especially after their back-to-back win in a do-or-die series after dropping their first against the Boston Red Sox.

But on Saturday, the Jays set the tone early and never looked back. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. smashed his first career postseason home run in the bottom of the first inning, and after that, catcher Alejandro Kirk launched a solo shot of his own in the second. Both homers came off Yankees starter Luis Gil, who lasted only 2.2 innings, and has been experiencing command issues since his return on Aug 3.

Yankees relievers Tim Hill and Camilo Doval managed to stop the bleeding for a while and keep the game a tight 2-1 for the next 3.1 scoreless innings. But Vladdy, who was in a hot stretch late in the season, showed why he’s so beloved to the Toronto crowd.

He made a spectacular defensive play in the second inning, where he snared Ryan McMahon’s broken-bat sharp line drive and dove back to first base to end the inning. Finishing his night with three hits and two RBIs, he was the difference maker for the whole game.

Meanwhile, the Yankees’ bullpen once again left the game wide open.

From Luke Weaver, to Fernando Cruz, to Paul Blackburn, everyone struggled with command issues and allowed 8 runs in the remaining 3 innings they pitched. The lopsided score was a disaster for the Yankees, and now all eyes turn to how they will respond in a must-win Game 2.

What’s next? A must-win scenario in Toronto

Blue Jays manager John Schneider called the win a “blueprint” of his team’s season-long success and also said it provides “nice little momentum” heading into the next game. Meanwhile, Yankees manager Aaron Boone simply acknowledged his team’s offensive struggles.

This loss left the Yankees in a tough spot heading into Game 2 on Sunday.

Their ace, left-hander Max Fried, coming off a great start in the Wild Card series, where he pitched 6.1 shutout innings against Boston, will start the game. And the Blue Jays rookie right-hander, Trey Yesavage, will be making just his fourth career MLB start for Toronto, whom the Yankees have never faced before.

Looking at the Yankees’ lineup, the bullpen remains a major concern.

Reliever Luke Weaver has struggled in all of his postseason outings so far. Manager Aaron Boone will also have to decide if he sticks with the hot hand of Ben Rice at first base over the veteran Paul Goldschmidt.

The Yankees now face a tough uphill climb after their first loss, as history shows that teams winning Game 1 at home in a five-game division series win 74.1% of the time. For New York, the path forward is difficult but not impossible. But can the captain back up his words and lead his team back from the brink?