Getty

The New York Yankees didn’t waste much time making headlines north of the border. As the team arrived in Toronto for their American League Division Series showdown against the Blue Jays, manager Aaron Boone responded to pointed criticism from a familiar Canadian voice.

Speaking at his Friday press conference, Boone addressed remarks from longtime Blue Jays television analyst Buck Martinez, who openly questioned New York’s legitimacy during a September broadcast.

“Contrary to some thoughts up here, we’re a really good team,” Boone said. “I know Buck had some thoughts. That’s all I was responding to. He’s wrong. But it doesn’t matter. We’ve got to go play, and we’ve got to go perform, as everyone does this time of year.”

Martinez’s Dig Still Lingers

Martinez, a former major leaguer and longtime Blue Jays color commentator, had downplayed the Yankees’ credentials earlier this season. During a September 9 broadcast of Toronto’s matchup with Houston, Martinez didn’t mince words.

“The Yankees, they’re not a good team,” he said. “I don’t care what their record is.”

That blunt assessment came days after New York had taken two of three from the Blue Jays in the Bronx. Toronto fans likely nodded in agreement at the time, given how the regular season series unfolded.

The Yankees went just 5-8 against the Blue Jays in 2025, including a lopsided 1-6 record at Rogers Centre. That edge ultimately proved decisive in the AL East race, where both clubs finished with identical 94-68 records. Toronto earned the division crown thanks to its dominance head-to-head, sending New York into the postseason with the Wild Card route.

Boone acknowledged the sting but was quick to note that October erases old storylines. “We feel really good about our team. We’re playing well. All that’s in the past now,” he said.

Gil vs. Gausman in Game 1

The focus now shifts to the mound, where both managers revealed their Game 1 starters. Toronto will send out veteran ace Kevin Gausman, while the Yankees tabbed 2024 AL Rookie of the Year Luis Gil.

Gausman, 34, wrapped the regular season with a 3.59 ERA over 193 innings. Though steady overall, he struggled to fully lock down the Yankees, allowing 10 runs in 22.2 innings across four starts. Blue Jays skipper John Schneider downplayed any concern. “He’s the same guy every single day,” Schneider said. “You don’t worry about him getting caught up in the noise.”

Gil, meanwhile, represents a gamble on upside. After missing four months with a lat injury, the 27-year-old right-hander returned strong, posting a 3.32 ERA in 11 starts. One of those outings came against Toronto on September 9, when he held the Jays to one run on three hits over six innings.

“Just feel like he’s ready for this,” Boone said. “He’s in line for it. Decided we want to keep Warren an option in the pen, and we feel like Luis is ready to go.”

Game 2 will feature Max Fried for the Yankees, while Toronto has yet to announce its starter.

For New York, Martinez’s dismissive comment may have provided the spark Boone wanted. In a series already loaded with division-rival animosity, any perceived slight becomes a rallying cry. The Yankees insist their focus remains on execution, not words. Still, it’s clear Boone heard the critique and chose to push back.

Toronto may have won the season series and the division title, but the ALDS provides New York with the stage to prove Martinez wrong. Boone’s message was simple: the past is over, and the Yankees believe their best baseball is still to come.

Alvin Garcia Born in Puerto Rico, Alvin Garcia is a sports writer for Heavy.com who focuses on MLB. His work has appeared on FanSided, LWOS, NewsBreak, Athlon Sports, and Yardbarker, covering mostly MLB. More about Alvin Garcia