The Blue Jays were just two games away from sweeping the ALDS and had a comfortable 6–1 lead by the third inning. So what do you think could go wrong from here? Well, everything!

They ended up collapsing and losing 9–6, turning what should’ve been a series-clinching win into a frustrating setback. And the loss didn’t just extend the series, but it also sparked a wave of anger among fans. They started questioning manager John Schneider’s decisions. Why? Because of fielding errors and questionable bullpen moves, many believe Schneider’s choices practically handed the game and the momentum to the Yankees.

“John Schneider’s inability to manage his pitching staff/bullpen will be the Jays’ undoing. What a dunce,” one Blue Jays loyalist shared via X.

The Blue Jays’ pitching was a disaster tonight. Notably, after jumping out to a 6–1 lead in the third inning of Game 3 against the Yankees, things quickly fell apart. It started with Shane Bieber giving up back-to-back doubles to Trent Grisham and Aaron Judge, a single to Cody Bellinger, and a sacrifice fly from Giancarlo Stanton.

And his night ended early, lasting just 2.2 innings with five hits, three runs, a walk, and two SOs. Schneider thought to call the bullpen early to restrict the run fest backfired.

After Bieber, the bullpen couldn’t hold it together. Louis Varland gave up a game-tying three-run homer to Aaron Judge, then to Jazz Chisholm Jr. in the next inning. Things only got worse as Braydon Fisher and Brendon Little gave up more runs.

Now, fans are left wondering why John Schneider went to the bullpen so early, especially with Game 4 already planned as a bullpen game. And it’s not just the pitching decisions drawing criticism. His move to put a pinch hitter in the outfield backfired, too, adding to the frustration.

The Blue Jays manager gets called out

Apart from the bullpen decision, Schneider’s outfield decision is also to blame for the Blue Jays’ debacle. “John Schneider used a pinch hitter when his team was up 6-1 in the 3rd inning. And that pinch-hitter cost the Jays the game. You can’t choke any harder than this as a manager,” one fan remarked.

Reportedly, Schneider’s wrong choice caused two costly errors that completely flipped the game for the Blue Jays. First, Isiah Kiner-Falefa bobbled Ben Rice’s two-out grounder in the first inning, which opened the door for Giancarlo Stanton’s RBI single. Then, after Kiner-Falefa was replaced by Addison Barger as a pinch-hitter in the third, Barger dropped an Austin Wells pop-up in the fourth. That mistake set up Aaron Judge’s homer.

Those defensive miscues proved brutal, and fans are scratching their heads once again. Why would John Schneider make that pinch-hitting move so early, especially with the team holding a comfortable 6–1 lead? “John Schneider pinch-hitting in the 3rd inning to bring in Barger, who lost the Jays the game. Investigate this game. MLB might be rigged,” one fan added.

Yes, the move actually looks unbelievable, how the Blue Jays just blew away the lead. “Why trade for Bieber if you’re going to pull him that early and bring in a shaky bullpen? This game is on John Schneider,” added another. However, Bieber was also struggling at the mound, and that only forced Schneider to ask for the bullpen and maintain the lead.

“John Schneider pulled a John Schneider by taking a Cy Young award winner out of the game after only 2 runs when you have the lead and turning to the bullpen…with a f****** bullpen game tomorrow. BlueJays. Every time I get a bit of confidence in this guy, he goes f*** it up,” fans can’t keep calm about the bullpen disaster as well.

“A disastrous decision to bring Addison Barger into this game by John Schneider,” one user said.

With Austin Wells’ hit high above, the outfielder charged in, and Addison Barger drifted back from third. It should’ve been the outfielder’s play if he called for it. But instead, Barger waved him off and casually tried to make the catch himself. Result? The ball tailed away more than he expected, letting Wells reach first on the error.

Then Trent Grisham drew a walk, setting the stage for Aaron Judge to come up with two runners on. So, it was an absolute disaster that left Yankee Stadium buzzing in disbelief, wondering how the Blue Jays could keep handing the Yankees free runs like that.