Kikuchi’s renaissance allows Blue Jays to get creative in postseason

MINNEAPOLIS — Is Yusei Kikuchi a short relief option, a fallback bulk guy or the Game 3 starter?

“When you get to this point, it’s all hands on deck,” manager John Schneider said.

Coming into Game 1 of the American League Wild Card Series on Tuesday, Kikuchi was scheduled to be in the bullpen, while Chris Bassitt looked on from the dugout, but the 3-1 loss to the Twins changed those plans in a hurry. Anyone not named Kevin Gausman will be an option to pitch in Wednesday’s Game 2, with the Blue Jays facing elimination. Against a Minnesota lineup that is built on platoons and moving parts, Kikuchi could get the call at any time.

The Twins ranked fifth in MLB with a .762 OPS against righties, but 19th against lefties (.727). Given the number of platoons Minnesota likes to mix and match, there could be several spots in Games 1 and 2 where Schneider is tempted to roll out Kikuchi.

“The runway’s short, you know what I mean?” Schneider said. “I think you have to not get too cute, but if there’s an opportunity to flip the leverage of the game, you’ve got to take advantage of it no matter when it comes.”

Kikuchi has never pitched in the postseason, but he does have a level of experience coming out of the bullpen, both in Japan and the big leagues. Last year, that was bad news for Kikuchi, who was demoted to the bullpen beginning on Aug. 18 after his struggles in the rotation became difficult for the Blue Jays to manage in a postseason race.

As a reliever last season, Kikuchi started to flash some of the signs that have flourished for him this year as a starter once again. He held a 4.91 ERA over 18 1/3 innings down the stretch, but his 33 strikeouts showed just how unique an asset he can be from the left side. That’s the upside the Blue Jays will be dreaming on if Kikuchi comes out of the bullpen in this series, this time with a safer floor.

Kikuchi’s incredible season was one of the surprises of 2023, and the fact that he’s even being considered in these moments shows just how far he’s come in 12 months. The suddenness of this isn’t leaving much room for the Blue Jays’ greatest strength to breathe, though.

Toronto’s rotation isn’t just good, it’s incredibly deep. Even going beyond Bassitt and Kikuchi, the Blue Jays had Hyun Jin Ryu return just in time to save the rotation spot vacated by Alek Manoah. It’s a group the club has dreamed of having and one that will be referenced for years as one of the most reliable rotations in recent years for Toronto.

That muscle can be flexed much more freely in a five- or seven-game series.

But the Wild Card Series waits for no one. That’s why the Blue Jays will play — and manage — Game 2 like there’s no tomorrow. Toronto needs to earn its tomorrows now if Kikuchi and this rotation are ever going to get a chance to show what they’re capable of.