The Toronto Blue Jays’ pitcher Kevin Gausman is feeling confident about the upcoming World Series showdown against the Los Angeles Dodgers, despite their high salaries. After clinching their first pennant in 32 years by defeating the Seattle Mariners 4-3 in Game 7 of the American League Championship Series, Gausman, soaked in beer, expressed, “We’ve got a lot of guys making a lot of money, too.” He acknowledged the caliber of both teams and anticipated a highly competitive baseball series with many star players.
Indeed, Gausman pointed out that it’s not just the Dodgers who have big earners. Among the Blue Jays, four players, including Gausman, earn over $20 million annually. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. leads the pack at $28 million, followed by George Springer at $25 million, and Chris Bassitt at $22 million. Additionally, six more Blue Jays players earn over $10 million each per year, with Jose Berrios being the highest-paid at $19 million annually.
Toronto’s opening-day payroll of $239,242,531 ranked fifth in baseball, with the Dodgers holding the second spot at $319,537,290. Despite their hefty salaries, the Blue Jays have not won any postseason titles since their back-to-back World Series victories in 1992 and 1993, while the Dodgers have a recent strong postseason history.
Blue Jays manager John Schneider acknowledged the challenge of facing the powerhouse Dodgers, emphasizing the need to beat the best to achieve success. The Blue Jays, finishing the regular season with 94 wins, secured home-field advantage for the World Series opener on Friday night.
The Blue Jays have made it to this stage without shortstop Bo Bichette, who has been sidelined since a September collision. Bichette expressed confidence in his readiness to return for the World Series. Vladimir Guerrero Jr., named ALCS MVP, has been a standout performer with impressive postseason stats, setting the stage for an exciting clash with the Dodgers.
Prime Minister Mark Carney expressed excitement over the Blue Jays’ victory, praising George Springer’s crucial three-run homer in Game 7. He recalled predicting the Blue Jays’ World Series appearance to U.S. President Donald Trump, a prediction that came true. Carney likened the moment to Joe Carter’s iconic World Series-winning home run in 1993, expressing joy and anticipation for the upcoming series.