Schneider continues to defend bullpen picks

TORONTO – John Schneider isn’t shying away from the way he managed the Toronto Blue Jays’ bullpen in a devastating 6-2 loss to Seattle in the American League Championship Series on Friday.

Schneider decided to go with inconsistent relief pitcher Brendon Little against Mariners MVP candidate Cal Raleigh, with Toronto holding a narrow 2-1 lead in Game 5 of the best-of-seven playoff series.

Raleigh homered to tie the game, then Little walked two batters. Seranthony Dominguez then came out of the Blue Jays’ bullpen and he hit Randy Arozarena with a pitch to load the bases, then served up a grand slam for Eugenio Suarez, blowing the game wide open for Seattle.

The Mariners hold a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven series, one win away from reaching the World Series for the first time.

After the game, Schneider said he trusted Little and Dominguez and doubled down at that position on Saturday.

“We got to the point we got to because of every guy on our team,” Schneider said at a news conference during optional workouts at the Rogers Center. “I can sit here and say it’s not a mistake, and y’all will write that I said it’s not a mistake, and I’ll get crushed on social media for saying that. I get it.”

He went on to explain his idea of ​​using Little against an out as tough as Raleigh, rather than using a reliever who is used to higher leverage situations.

“I trust my players. I trust my players,” Schneider said. “In retrospect, I had a few 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 perform. There is always a risk when you put a player in a situation where he won’t get the job done. That’s part of the game.”

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When asked if closer Jeff Hoffman was available to play Friday, Schneider responded curtly: “He’s on the roster, yes.”

Schneider said ignoring past what-if scenarios is part of the job as a manager in Major League Baseball.

“Every decision you make that doesn’t work, I regret it. Do you know what I mean?” Schneider said. “It doesn’t matter who it is. Whether it’s a hitter, a pinch-hitter, a pitcher, a starting pitcher, it’s part of the job, you know.

“There’s always what-if questions. You know what I mean? There’s always what-if questions in this game. I think you learn from it. You trust the people around you when you make decisions. You make them and you move on. That’s what I’m doing.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 18, 2025.

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