Bautista says he is OK with being the villain if it helps the Blue Jays win
ARLINGTON, Texas — It was only fitting that Jose Bautista wore a black hat to meet the media in Texas on Wednesday.
The Blue Jays slugger will be the villain at Globe Life Park on Thursday when Toronto opens the best-of-five American League Division Series against the Texas Rangers.
Bautista’s bat flip after a decisive three-run blast in Game 5 of last year’s ALDS did not go down well in the Lone Star State. The bad blood boiled to the surface in May when Rangers second baseman Rougned Odor punched Bautista in the face after objecting to a slide. That led to more ugliness as the benches emptied.
“They might have their reasons to dislike me, if they choose to do that,” Bautista said of the rivalry. “I think I have a couple more reasons to dislike them. But I’m not thinking about that, I’m not focused on that. I’m looking to beat them and move on to the next series.”