Bo Bichette, Max Scherzer Left off Blue Jays' ALDS Roster Ahead of Yankees Series

The Toronto Blue Jays will be without Bo Bichette and Max Scherzer in the American League Division Series against the New York Yankees.

Prior to Game 1 on Saturday, the Blue Jays finalized their 26-man roster with both Bichette and Scherzer left off.

Neither decision comes as a huge surprise. Bichette hasn't played since Sept. 6 due to a sprained knee and his status for the start of the playoffs was up in the air.

Blue Jays manager John Schneider told reporters on Friday that he wasn't sure if Bichette would be ready for the ALDS and the team didn't want to activate him unless he was in a position to play every day.

"I would say, for him to be on (ALDS roster), he'd have to play pretty regularly," Schneider said. "Just that way we deploy our guys, we don't want to deviate too much from what we've been doing. So it's not saving him for a Kirk Gibson at-bat once a game that may not come. He'd have to be pretty regular in some capacity."

Schneider did note that Bichette was considered "day-to-day," so it seems like there's a chance he could return for the ALCS if the Blue Jays advance.

Scherzer's absence comes after he really struggled in the month of September. He allowed 24 hits and 17 earned runs across 15 innings in four starts during the final month of the regular season.

Given that Chris Bassitt was also left off the ALDS roster due to lower back inflammation that has had him on the injured list since Sept. 20, there was maybe an argument to include Scherzer just for depth.

But given how poorly things went for Scherzer in September, it's hard to envision a scenario where Schneider trusted him enough to pitch in a playoff game.

The Yankees could also counter Scherzer on the mound with a lefty-heavy lineup including Jazz Chisholm Jr., Ryan McMahon, Trent Grisham, Ben Rice and Cody Bellinger.

Scherzer allowed a 13 homers and a .545 slugging percentage to lefties this season.

Considering the Blue Jays seem like they could end up relying heavily on their bullpen in Game 2 with rookie Trey Yesavage, who made three appearances after being called up from Triple-A on Sept. 15, having as much depth as possible was paramount for Schneider.

The Blue Jays will send Kevin Gausman to the mound against Luis Gil and the Yankees in Game 1 of the ALDS on Saturday at 4:08 p.m. ET.