Blue Jays could lock up wild card spot Friday
Posted Sep 25, 2015 07:13:01 AM.
Last Updated Sep 25, 2015 08:12:30 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
The longest playoff drought in the four major sports could come to an end on Friday night when the Toronto Blue Jays kick off their final home series of the regular season.
The Jays are hosting a three-game set against the Tampa Bay Rays at the Rogers Centre. The team has struggled against Tampa Bay this season, dropping six of seven to the Rays back in April.
But what will it take for the Jays to clinch their first post-season berth in over two decades?
The stars have to align perfectly for the Jays to lock up at least a wild card. They need to beat the Rays and need the Minnesota Twins and Los Angeles Angels to both lose, Sportsnet The Fan 590’s Mike Wilner says.
R.A. Dickey starts on Friday, with David Price on the mound on Saturday, giving Mark Buehrle an extra day of rest – again.
Buehrle will pitch on Sunday, which could be his last ever appearance for the Blue Jays this season, according to Wilner.
“Mark Buehrle has never pitched out of the bullpen. I don’t know that you would want him out there. Every roster spot is just so important in post-season,” he said.
Buehrle is a free agent and many think he will retire.
With all of that being said, Mayor John Tory is planning to watch Friday’s game at the Rogers Centre, and we all know how well the Jays do when major politicians are in the house. Baseball gods, please pray for us.
The Yankees cut their deficit in the American League East after beating the Chicago White Sox 3-2. The Yanks are now three back of the first-place Jays, who had the night off on Thursday.
Do the Jays pop champagne for the wild card? Or do they wait and see if they lock up the AL East?
The Jays magic number to win the division remains at eight – that’s the number of Jays wins and New York losses needed for Toronto to clinch the division.
With a 10-game lead in the AL Central, the Royals reach the weekend on the verge of clinching their division crown, but hold just a 1.5-game lead over the Blue Jays for the American League’s best record.
With files from Sportsnet
