The postseason madness is in full swing, and Friday’s madness will go down easily as one of the most unforgettable days in postseason history. First, there was Eugenio Suarez and his go-ahead grand slam that sent T-Mobile Park into chaos and pushed the Mariners one win away from the World Series. Then Shohei Ohtani displayed one of the greatest postseason performances ever—he went into superhero mode with three homers and 10 strikeouts in a single game.

But amid the chaos, one man’s decision became the story—John Schneider. The Toronto Blue Jays manager now finds himself under huge pressure after his decisions that led to a late-inning meltdown in Game 5, something that might have cost his team the series. The Jays blew a 2-1 lead in the eighth inning when Schneider turned to Brendon Little, a move that backfired, given Seattle rallied for five runs.

Back home in Toronto with Game 6 looming, Schneider addressed the media and even owned up to the loss, kind of. “In hindsight, I had a couple other options to do. That’s what I decided to do. So again, I have all the information I need, and I don’t think I made a mistake… Players have to go perform. That’s part of the game.” 

Now, ESPN gave a fair warning: “Both managers have deployed quick hooks with the starters — and both saw those moves backfire in the three games in Seattle.. Blue Jays manager John Schneider’s decision in Game 5 might have been even more questionable, leaving closer Jeff Hoffman in the pen in the eighth while going first to Brendon Little and then to Seranthony Dominguez, and they combined to allow five runs in blowing the 2-1 lead. Hoffman never got in the game. That’s where we’re at: The Blue Jays need to win two to reach their first World Series since 1993. The Mariners need one to reach their first. Ohtani and the Dodgers await.”   

Schneider didn’t shy away from accountability, but he admitted the sting of second-guessing. He said it sucks, but this is part of the job—the what-ifs and more. However, he trusted his players, and in hindsight, he said he did realize he had a couple of options. This non-clarity won’t work given one mistake, and it would end their dreams of making it to the World Series, a place they have not been since 1993! And honestly, it is not just the skipper; even Little felt the sting of the loss!

This is Schneider’s fourth year at the helm, and most easily one of his most defining. He has evolved from an under-the-radar skipper to a fiery, confident leader whose team mirrors his character. But with the Jays now facing elimination, every decision he makes could define not just the postseason but also his legacy in Toronto. Game 6 is going to be exciting—and it seems like Schneider has a plan!

Toronto Blue Jays go “all hands on deck’ approach

It’s do-or-die time in Toronto Blue Jays, as they are staring down an elimination in Game 6 of the ALCS. And their skipper is making sure that there are no excuses left on the table. His message heading into Sunday’s showdown is that everyone is in. According to Sportsnet’s Arden Zwelling, Schneider is taking the “all hands on deck” approach.

This means he is expanding his bullpen to include arms that normally would not be there. In other words, if you throw a baseball and have a Toronto cap on, then you are probably in standby. With the Mariners just sitting one win away from their first-ever World Series berth, the Jays are going to need every bit of that home-field magic. And honestly, at home, they have been hard to beat this season.

This series, though, has been nothing but chaotic. First, Seattle came out swinging and stole the first two games in the Jays’ home and outscored them 12-5. Then the Jays came back in Seattle, with clutch hits from Vladimir Guerrero Jr., and that made Toronto fans believe that all is not done yet. But then Game 5 came, and that tore the heart right out of Toronto’s bullpen. Now the Jays return to Rogers Centre, where they went 54-27 during the regular season.

All eyes will be on rookie Trey Yesavage, their 22-year-old, who will face off against Logan Gilbert. Both have had shaky outings in the series, but each of them has that “domination” stuff when they are dialed in. Right now, game 6 might be Toronto and the Mariners’ wildest ride yet.