‘We’re fired up’: Blue Jays celebrate advancing to ALCS

The Toronto Blue Jays have punched their ticket to the American League Championship Series (ALCS).

The Blue Jays beat the Yankees on Wednesday in Game 4 of their best-of-five American League Division Series (ALDS). Toronto handily took the first two games over the weekend.

They will face the winner of the other ALDS between the Seattle Mariners and the Detroit Tigers. That series is tied 2-2 and will be decided on Friday, when they will play Game 5 at T-Mobile Park.

• IN PICTURES: ALDS showdown between Toronto Blue Jays and New York Yankees

Meanwhile, Game 1 of the ALCS will be on Sunday at Rogers Centre.

Here are some highlights from Game 4 and the celebrations:

11:39 p.m. - ‘DAAAAAA YANKEES LOSE’

During a live interview with Fox Sports, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. does David Ortiz’s famous game call every time the Yankees lose.

11:30 p.m. - Blue Jays pitchers on ‘bullpen day’ win

“This team wins in so many different ways, and we just showed tonight how we could win a bullpen day,” Blue Jays pitcher Louis Varland said.

Fellow pitcher Brendon Little agreed.

“We believe in our bullpen. We said that for a while now. To get the bullpen day to go out there and limit the hits, limit the damage as much as we did, it was awesome,” he told CP24.

11:20 p.m. – ‘We all love each other’

Blue Jays pitcher Trey Yesavage called the team a “brotherhood.”

“Everyone is so tight. We’re all close knit. We all care for each other. There’s not much more you can ask for,” Yesavage said.

Davis Schneider says it feels great to close out the series and echoes Yesavage’s sentiments.

“Everyone gets along with each other off the field and I feel like that’s what makes us play better on the field. We all love each other,” he said.

11:11 p.m. - Blue Jays manager on Game 4 win

“The whole baseball world was worried about us in a bullpen game. It’s fitting that it takes everybody to win,” John Schneider told CP24’s Phil Perkins.

“We look at it kinda like a team day. You gotta score, which we really did a good job of this whole series.”

He credited his team for turning the page and focusing on what’s important after the Game 3 loss.

“Talent is talent. The character of this group and the guys we’ve got in here allows you to turn the page,” Schneider said.

11:04 p.m. - Gausman on how the team will celebrate

Kevin Gausman tells CP24’s Phil Perkins that the team will have lobster tail, prime rib and filet mignon to mark the victory.

“We’re fired up,” Gausman says.

Gausman says the Blue Jays played their best baseball to beat a good Yankees team.

“I got a lot of respect for that organization,” he says.

10:45 p.m. - Champagne celebrations in the clubhouse

Before they popped the champagne and cracked open the beer, in an expletive-laden speech, Blue Jays manager John Schneider congratulated the team for advancing to the next round.

10:42 p.m. - Leafs fans stay to watch Jays win

Almost an hour after the Leafs won their home opener against the Montreal Canadiens, some fans stayed inside Scotiabank Arena to watch the end of the Blue Jays game on the jumbotron.

10:40 p.m. - Blue Jays celebrate on field

Blue Jays players celebrate their win on the field, exchanging hugs and handshakes. Wearing their new ALCS t-shirts and caps, they take a group photo.

10:31 p.m. - Final score: Toronto 5, Yankees 2

The Blue Jays have beaten the New York Yankees 5-2 to advance to the ALCS.

The last time Toronto reached the ALCS was in 2016.

10:12 p.m. - Jays escape jam

With the bases loaded and two outs in the bottom of the eighth inning, Jeff Hoffman gets Austin Wells to fly out in left field and keep the Blue Jays’ 5-1 lead.

9:55 p.m. - Keeping up with the Yankees

Celebrity couple Timothee Chalamet and Kylie Jenner were spotted in the front row watching the Blue Jays-Yankees game.

9:50 p.m. – Straw adds another run

Miles Straw drives in Alejandro Kirk, who hit a double to start the top of the eighth inning. The Blue Jays are up 5-1.

9:34 p.m. - Leafs fans cheer for Jays

Fans at the Maple Leafs’ home opener at Scotiabank Arena cheered when the scoreboard showed the Blue Jays having a 4-1 lead. TSN reporter Mark Masters reported that fans chanted “Let’s Go Blue Jays.”

9:22 p.m. – Lukes’ two-out single extends Jays lead

Ernie Clement and Andres Gimenez score after Nathan Lukes hit a two-out single in the top of the seventh inning, extending the Jays’ lead 4-1 in the top of the seventh inning.

8:36 p.m. – Springer gives Jays lead

Springer hits a sacrifice fly in the top of the fifth inning to cash in Ernie Clement and put the Blue Jays up 2-1.

8 p.m. – McMahon ties game

Yankees third baseman Ryan McMahon hits a solo home run in the bottom of the third inning to tie the game.

7:15 p.m. - Jays strike first

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. drives in George Springer who hit a leadoff double. Blue Jays have an early 1-0 lead after the top of the first inning.

7:08 p.m. - Play ball

Game 4 of the ALDS between the Blue Jays and Yankees is underway. Cam Schlittler has taken the mound and is facing Blue Jays leadoff hitter George Springer.

5:04 p.m. Unsure if white panel hats will be worn again tonight

The run of the throwback style, white panel hats the Jays have been sporting since the end of September may be coming to an end.

Despite saying he ‘didn’t pack another hat" ahead of the trip to New York, Schneider said they might not be worn for Game 4.

“To be honest with you, I don’t even know if we’re wearing this today. I did bring my other hats. I kind of just said that in real time, but, yeah, I don’t know what we’re wearing. This was the one that was sitting in my locker, so I assumed we were wearing it. We’ve been playing well with them, right? So, if we’re rocking them, that’s great.”

Laura Sebben, CTV News Toronto digital journalist

4:59 p.m. Bichette hit in sim game before coming to New York

After Bichette was seen running for the first time without a knee brace on the field at Yankee Stadium today, Schneider told reporters he also hit in a sim game in Toronto on Tuesday.

“The last three days have been pretty positive for him. He hit in our little sim game back in Toronto yesterday against Max (Scherzer) and Chris (Bassitt); running today for the first time,” Schneider updated.

“We’ll take it a day at a time, and just listen to how he’s feeling... I think he’s probably turned the corner a little bit in terms of making some steady progress. You know, it wasn’t just kind of hitting in the cage, it was facing some live pitching, and knowing that he was going to be running today for the first time... I think he’s making some strides, and we’ll continue to take it a day at a time.”

Laura Sebben, CTV News Toronto digital journalist

4:55 p.m. ‘Elite bat to ball skills’: Schneider on Clement’s contributions

Ernie Clement has seven hits over the past two games against the Yankees, and his contribution to the Jays successes so far in the ALDS is not lost on Schneider.

“He has elite bat to ball skills,” Schneider commented. “I’ve seen him cover a foot above the zone and a foot below the zone. So, with that comes a little bit of volatility with the results. But Ernie is not scared of any situation. I think his play kind of shows that, the way he plays the game. Whether it’s on the bases, on defense, or at the plate, and I think he’s pretty confident right now.”

“You know, guys like that tend to kind of rise to the occasion, guys that just play the game the right way.”

Laura Sebben, CTV News Toronto digital journalist

4:50 p.m. Yesavage and Gausman will be available for bullpen use

“We’ll see how the game goes,” Schneider said when asked about his plans for tonight’s bullpen pitching game. He said both Trey Yesavage and Kevin Gausman are available tonight and their use is dependant on how things unfold on the mound.

“I told the guys be flexible, be ready. You never know how the game is going to start.... I think probably Trey more than Kev tonight.”

Laura Sebben, CTV News Toronto digital journalist

4:45 p.m. Schneider comments on defensive miscues in Game 3

Blue Jays Manager John Schneider says he doesn’t believe last night’s defensive errors from Addison Barger and Isiah Kiner-Falefa will be “contagious” in tonight’s game.

“That’s not how we’ve played all year. (It was) a pretty uncharacteristic defensive game for us this year,” Schneider said. “I don’t think it gets contagious, especially with this group, they just move on and do what they’re good at.”

Laura Sebben, CTV News Toronto digital journalist

4:25 p.m. Guerrero Jr. ‘one of the best hitters in the game’

Yankees Manager Aaron Boone says that Blue Jays slugger Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is “one of the best hitters in the game.”

He says that going up against talents like Guerrero Jr. is sort of “the nature of the beast in the postseason,” though.

“You are going to go up against great players, you are going to go up against hot players that are locked in and kind of feeling it and you have to be able to navigate it to keep moving,” he said.

Chris Fox, Managing Digital Producer CP24.com and CTVNewsToronto.ca

4:15 p.m. - ‘Juggernauts going back and forth’

Yankee Giancarlo Stanton describes Aaron Judge and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. trading home runs in Game 3 as “juggernauts going back and forth.”

He says that for the Yankees to have success in Game 4, they need to “neutralize” Guerrero Jr.

“We have to be on the better end of that. It is two of the best in the game, in the biggest moment and that is what baseball is all about,” he says.

Chris Fox, Managing Digital Producer CP24.com and CTVNewsToronto.ca

4:10 p.m. - Yankees players reflect on Judge home run

Yankees slugger Giancarlo Stanton says that Aaron Judge’s performance in Game 3, including a three-run home run that evened the score in the fourth inning, was simply “incredible.”

“It was exactly what we needed. The reason I am here right now, the reason we have another game tonight,” he said. “He stepped up when we needed him most and he will be there again today.”

Chris Fox, Managing Digital Producer CP24.com and CTVNewsToronto.ca

3:47 p.m. - Bichette seen running without knee brace

CP24’s Phil Perkins is on the ground at Yankee Stadium where the Blue Jays are holding batting practice.

Perkins says that injured Jays slugger Bo Bichette was seen in the outfield jogging without a knee brace this afternoon.

It is believed to be the first time that Bichette has been seen running since injuring his knee in a game against the Yankees on Sept. 6.

Bichette has already been ruled out for the divisional series but could theoretically return for the American League Championship Series if the Blue Jays advance.

Chris Fox, Managing Digital Producer CP24.com and CTVNewsToronto.ca

3:46 p.m. - Lukes on how he deals with Yankee fans

The outfielder shared that he puts his Instagram on private so fans in the stands don’t have “more ammo.”

“I try and give them some baseballs, try and have some fun with them. When it’s loud and rowdy, it’s kind of hard to single out the voices, which is kind of nice. But when they’re when they’re not as loud, those voices tend to get in your ear a little bit,” Lukes said.

Bryann Aguilar, CP24.com journalist

3:45 p.m. - Lukes on Vladdy: ‘He’s the leader right now’

“He clears his mind, just from how he how he kind of ended the season into then going into playoffs, he’s turned it around. He’s the leader right now,” Lukes said.

The Blue Jays outfielder added that it’s been fun to watch Vladdy go head-to-head with Aaron Judge.

When asked how he feels about hitting after George Springer and before Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Lukes said it’s a “dream come true.”

“It’s just either strike out or do not ground into a double play. The way Vlad’s going right now, I need to get him into the box,” he said.

Bryann Aguilar, CP24.com journalist

3:42 p.m. - Lukes on facing Schlittler

“He’s one hell of a pitcher, one of the best fastballs in the league. Just so happened last couple times we faced him, he didn’t quite have command over it. But today we expect him to have it, and we expect to hit it.”

Bryann Aguilar, CP24.com journalist

3:41 p.m. - Blue Jays moved on from Game 3 loss: Lukes

Nathan Lukes says his team has moved on from Tuesday night’s loss and says the players are “ready to go.”

“It’s over with. That’s one thing that is really good about this team: we’re good at turning the page,” Lukes told reporters in a pre-game news conference.

Bryann Aguilar, CP24.com journalist

3:35 p.m. Starting lineup revealed

In a post to social media, the Blue Jays have officially shared their starting lineup for Game 4 tonight.

Jermaine Wilson, CTV News Toronto

2 p.m. - ‘Let Shane be Shane’

Former Blue Jays all-star Vernon Wells is criticizing the decision to remove Shane Bieber during the third inning of Game 3.

Chris Fox, Managing Digital Producer CP24.com and CTVNewsToronto.ca

1 p.m. ‘We’re coming back,’ Yankees fans hopeful ahead of Game 4

Speaking to CP24’s Phill Perkins outside Yankee Stadium fans didn’t hold back and suggested that this series is only getting started.

“I think we’re coming back... let’s go Yankees,” one fan said. Meanwhile another said “it ain’t over till the fat lady sings.”

Jermaine Wilson, CTV News Toronto

12:20 p.m. - Blue Jays rally at Scarborough elementary school

At Hunter’s Glen public school, students and faculty connected with a school in the Bronx via zoom call.

Both sides could be heard cheering for their respected teams as officials say the event was done to promote sportsmanship.

CTV’s John Musselman reports.

Jermaine Wilson, CTV News Toronto

11:00 a.m. - Stephen A. Smith backs Yankees

ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith had trouble containing his excitement about the Yankees Game 3 comeback win as he made an appearance on the network’s ‘First Take’ on Wednesday morning.

Smith, a longtime New York City sports fan, went on a two-minute rant in which he applauded the Yankees for showing up with their season on the line, adding “this is what we are accustomed to.”

Smith then went on to predict “more of the same” in Game 4 tonight.

“I am very, very happy. I am very happy right now but you have to close the deal. You have to follow up in Game 4; then you have to go back to Toronto where you are 1-8 and you have to shred those demons,” he said. “Man that is what you have to do but they are very capable of doing it.”

Chris Fox, Managing Digital Producer CP24.com and CTVNewsToronto.ca

10:00 a.m.- Jays home game tickets on sale

If you want to catch the Blue Jays in action in the next round, ALCS tickets officially go on sale tomorrow.

The team is one win away from advancing to the next round of the playoffs and for fans hoping to catch a game at the Rogers Centre, single game tickets will be available at 10 a.m. on Thursday.

If the Jays move ahead, Game 1 of the ALCS will be held in Toronto on Sunday, Oct. 12.

Codi Wilson, CP24.com journalist

9:30 a.m. - Mayor Chow weighs in

Speaking to reporters ahead of a council meeting, Mayor Olivia Chow called Tuesday night’s defeat a “hard loss.”

“Yesterday was a hard loss for the Blue Jays but Toronto fans know how to keep the spirit alive,” she said.

Jermaine Wilson, CTV News Toronto

9:00 a.m. - Free viewing parties, city announces

The City of Toronto has announced it will be hosting free viewing parties for the rest of the postseason. On Wednesday night, a viewing party will be held at Mel Lastman Square and if the series goes to Game 5, one will be held at Albert Campbell Square on Friday night.

If the club advances to the ALCS and the World Series, viewing parties will be held at Nathan Phillips Square.

“Fans are encouraged to bring their Blue Jays gear, family and friends, and their playoff spirit,” the city said in a news release.

“Viewing parties also offer a chance to enjoy and support Toronto’s many local restaurants and venues before and after the games, turning each matchup into a celebration of both the team and the city.”

Codi Wilson, CP24.com journalist