First, the disclaimers.
Sure, the Blue Jays should play extra constant than they’ve via a lot of the 2023 common season, significantly in relation to manufacturing on the plate.
No, I’ve not been drunk-typing on the primary Monday morning of autumn.
Sure, they’ve but to clinch a playoff spot and, primarily based on what has been a wild six months, nothing is assured within the last six weeks of the season.
And no, this isn’t a prediction.
However we’re right here to let you know that, as Canada’s solely Main League Baseball staff steams in direction of October, the pathway to a World Collection berth is extra real looking for this staff than it has been in years.
Give it some thought: Who within the American League is to be feared proper now? And is there an AL opponent that may be closely favoured in a collection in opposition to the Jays proper now? The solutions are nobody and no.
After a 4-2 journey by which they took two of three in each the Bronx and on the Trop, the Jays have gained seven of their previous 9 and are profitable video games the best way good groups do within the post-season.
They’ve been opportunistic, have supported the continued pitching excellence and immediately have seen an emergence of some long-ball energy. The blown Jordan Romano save on Saturday apart, it was a formidable weekend collection down in Tampa Bay in opposition to a Rays staff that has lengthy given them suits, particularly at Tropicana Subject.
And with some out-of-town assist on this wacky wild-card image, the Jays had been in a position to get pleasure from Monday’s off-day firmly within the AL’s second wild-card spot, two video games up on Houston and a couple of.5 on Seattle, presently combating to get again in.
With six video games remaining, the 87-69 Jays seemingly want simply two wins to qualify and, in the event that they lock up a spot quickly sufficient, can begin aligning their pitching employees and resting gamers for what awaits subsequent week.
Now, about that highway to the World Collection, one not almost as treacherous as one may assume for a staff that has largely under-achieved but is immediately placing the items collectively for a possible stirring run.
Because it stands, the second wild-card is theirs for the taking, securing a probable first-round date with the Rays staff they only took two of three from in Florida. Whereas not a certain factor, the Rays are banged-up and never as formidable as they’ve been previously, and supervisor John Schneider’s membership can be driving confidence from their most up-to-date go to.
Ought to the Jays win a best-of-three wild-card spherical in opposition to the Rays down in St. Pete, Fla. (assuming the Rays don’t catch Baltimore for the division title first) subsequent up can be a best-of-five divisional spherical in opposition to the Orioles.
As nice as story because the O’s have been this season — and their standing as a shiny younger staff of the long run is well-earned — the Jays veteran presence and stellar pitching employees may really give them an edge. Win that and it’s on to the ALCS and face no matter stays of the AL West and the Central-winning Minnesota Twins.
Ought to the Jays slip to the third wild-card spot, the highway arguably would have much less resistance, beginning with an opener in opposition to the Twins, victors within the feckless AL Central, adopted by a second-round date in opposition to whoever survives the Houston-Texas-Seattle mess.
Regardless what route would take them to the ALCS, the Jays can be seen as contenders, simply as they had been manner again in spring coaching.
Because the Jays meandered via the common season with maddening inconsistencies, the objectives shifted from dominating and taking the division to getting sizzling on the most opportune time.
With per week remaining within the common season — six video games, all at house, all in opposition to division opponents — the staff is doing simply that. Of their three video games down in Florida, they scored six, six and 9 runs in opposition to a Rays staff nonetheless taking part in for one thing.
They noticed their designated Mr. October, George Springer, get pistol sizzling on the good time.
They noticed some energy with 4 homers on Sunday, together with a pair from Vlad Guerrero Jr. — and what if he catches fireplace?
Within the post-season, the place scoring runs are at a premium, the Jays immediately have proven an opportunistic facet, getting dudes on base, making the most of opposition blunders and driving runners house. Mixed with pitching, it’s the components that tends to flourish in October.
Look, the Jays nonetheless have their flaws, however there isn’t a playoff-bound staff within the AL that doesn’t, most notably the reigning World Collection champion Houston Astros, who are actually life-and-death simply to get in.
With six video games remaining, the Jays might match their 91-win complete from 2022 with a 4-2 end, a process that gained’t come simply given the robust pitching they are going to face. However, just like the previous week, when most video games had been a battle, that too may additional toughen them up for what awaits.
World Collection contenders? We’ll let the Blue Jays safe a playoff spot earlier than going too loopy with optimism. However promising issues are occurring on the proper time.
And for a assured staff with a veteran presence, some confirmed bats and a pitching employees constructed for crucial time on the baseball calendar, the Jays wouldn’t be the primary staff to capitalize on such a confluence.
