TORONTO – When the Toronto Blue Jays enter hostile territory, it’s Shane Bieber’s job to be out front.
Bieber will likely be Toronto’s starting pitcher for Game 3 of the American League Championship Series in Seattle on Wednesday. He had the identical role for Game 3 of the AL Division Series when the Blue Jays visited Yankee Stadium.
“I adore it. It’s cool. It’s something to embrace,” said Bieber on Monday before the opening pitch of Game 2 at Rogers Centre. “Ultimately, it’s how many individuals get the chance to pitch within the playoffs, within the ALCS, in what’s going to be an awesome environment in Seattle, so I’m excited for it.”
Bieber pitched two games for the Cleveland Guardians at the beginning of 2024 but was shut down on April 6 of that yr after the team announced he needed Tommy John surgery to repair his ulnar collateral ligament. He was traded to Toronto on July 31 of this yr for pitching prospect Khal Stephen.
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The Blue Jays activated him from the injured list on Aug. 22, striking out nine and earning the win as Toronto beat the Miami Marlins 5-2. Since then, the two-time all-star and the 2020 AL Cy Young Award winner has been called on in a few of the Blue Jays’ biggest games en path to winning the American League East division title.
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“I believe since I made my return to the Major Leagues a pair months ago, I obviously, found myself put right into some meaningful ball games,” said Bieber on preparing for high-pressure starts. “The importance stays the identical, and clearly, you place an emphasis in your preparation and every pitch, and you’ve the selection of constructing each bullpen, and the work in between more necessary.
“I believe, ultimately, in case your routine is already set in stone, you’re able to go. You are attempting and treat all of it the identical.”
Bieber finished the regular season with a 4-2 record, a 3.57 earned-run average and 37 strikeouts over 40 1/3 innings. He had an abbreviated appearance against the Yankees in Game 3 of the ALDS on Oct. 7, allowing three runs — two earned — over 2 2/3 innings because the Blue Jays went on to lose 6-9.
“One other veteran presence who’s pitched in big games, who’s done rather well,” said Toronto manager John Schneider. “A man you depend on, you count on, you trust. Exactly what we thought after we were acquiring him on the deadline.
“Pitching in a hostile environment, again, like did he in Latest York, but I’ve got all of the trust on this planet in him to exit and just pitch his game.”
Bieber said he took just a few lessons from his outing within the Bronx.
“You’ve got to empty the tank from pitch one and proceed to be aggressive,” he said. “I watched that outing back just a few times. I used to be relatively blissful with how I executed.
“I assumed a pair different pitches and being a little bit bit sharper in certain situations could have had the sport go a unique direction, but ultimately, you may’t really dwell on that. You’ve got to deal with what’s coming next.”
George Kirby will get the beginning for the Mariners.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 13, 2025.
© 2025 The Canadian Press