“A healthy Hyun-jin Ryu and the addition of Chris Bassitt make this one of the deepest starting rotations in baseball.”
Ryu Hyun-jin (Toronto Blue Jays) has been projected as the team’s No. 4 starter in the postseason. At this point, it’s a no-brainer, as he’s the fourth starter behind Kevin Gausman, Jose Berrios, and Chris Bassitt. It’s important to note that if Toronto clinches a postseason berth and plays a wild-card game, Ryu will not be given the opportunity to pitch.
With the return of Berrios and Kikuchi and the offseason additions of healthy Ryu and Bassitt, Toronto has one of the deepest starting rotations in the majors outside of Alec Manoa,” Bleacher Report wrote on Aug. 28.
The wild card is a best-of-three series. If the series goes the distance, it could still end in a best-of-three series. In Toronto’s case, that would be Gaussman, Berrios, and Bassitt. Due to the nature of the postseason, Hyun-jin Ryu could be used out of the bullpen, but he’s a classic starter, so he’s more likely to stay on the bench.
If Toronto doesn’t make it to the Division Series, there’s a good chance Ryu won’t get another postseason start, and his appearance against the Tampa Bay Rays on April 30 could be his last in Toronto. Ryu gets a shot at free agency in 2023-2024.
If Ryu re-signs with Toronto, but if he doesn’t, his only postseason appearance in Toronto could be Game 1 of the Wild Card Decision against Tampa Bay on October 1, 2020. Ryu struggled that day, allowing seven runs (three earned) on eight hits (two homers) with three walks and one strikeout in 1.2 innings. 레모나토토
Ryu finished 2020 with a 5-2 record and a 2.69 ERA in 12 games, good for third place in the American League Cy Young race. It was a season of highs and lows. While he was able to avoid criticism by performing so well during the shortened season, it was a blow to his ego.
It was a nightmare that would not be forgotten. Toronto missed the postseason in 2021. In 2022, they made the postseason, but Ryu was unable to pitch as he rehabbed from Tommy John surgery. This season, the team is in the postseason and he’s healthy, but he’s been bumped down to the four-man rotation, meaning he won’t be able to pitch in the wild-card game.
If Toronto advances to the division series, Ryu will likely get a chance to pitch. He could start, or he could be used out of the bullpen. With his experience, Hyun-jin Ryu could be a useful card for Toronto to play in the fall.
On the other hand, if Ryu doesn’t get a chance to pitch in the postseason, it will be a tragedy for Toronto.