With an 8-5 victory over the Kansas City Royals on Sunday, the Toronto Blue Jays have clinched a playoff berth for the first time since 2023.
Currently sitting at an AL best 90-66 on the season, the Jays became the first team in the American League to secure a playoff spot. The club rushed out to an early 6-2 lead, before seeing the Royals claw their way back into the affair, cutting the lead to 6-5. However, Ernie Clement and Andres Gimenez each batted in a run in the 8th inning and the celebration was on from there.
“To be a part of this is unbelievable” said rookie Trey Yesavage. The right hander didn’t have his best stuff on Sunday, but still managed to go 4 innings, giving up 5 hits, and 3 walks before handing things over to the bullpen.
Following the game, infielder Bo Bichette told reporters that the team absolutely had everything they needed to win a World Series. And while the champagne flowed in the locker room following the clinch, Toronto still has plenty to play for down the stretch.
The team is currently dealing with injuries, including the aforementioned Bichette, so securing a first round bye remains a priority for the club. Luckily for the team, they won’t have to travel far, as all six of their remaining games will come at home as they’ll welcome Boston and Tampa north of the border for a three game series each.
The Red Sox currently sit 4.5 games back of the Jays for the top spot in the AL East, however, a stumble near the finish line could open an avenue for New York to overtake the Jays down the stretch. Heading into Sunday night, the Bronx Bombers sit just 2.5 games back of the Jays for top spot in the division.
Boston will certainly be coming in extra motivated, as they’re in the thick of a heated AL Wildcard race, sitting just a game and a half up on the Cleveland Guardians. Tampa has already been mathematically eliminated from the postseason, so a sweep of the Red Sox, coupled with some help from the Chicago White Sox (whom New York plays next) could see the Jays celebrating a divisional title by mid week.
Toronto will look to start their series vs. Boston off on the right foot by sending out Kevin Gausman to kick things off at the Rogers Centre on Tuesday.
Photo: Erik Drost. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license.