The Toronto Blue Jays’ next series against the Baltimore Orioles could prove crucial to the rest of things as Major League Baseball’s only Canadian team doesn’t currently appear in the playoff portrait.
Those three games against the Maryland team are a thorn in the side of Toronto (69-56), who have just won two of their three duels against the Cincinnati Reds. The Orioles (77-47) are ranked No. 1 in the American League East Division standings and have won eight of their ten games against the Jays this season.
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Against the Orioles (77-47) they will have no right to make mistakes. If the team doesn’t win the series, there won’t be very many entries into the playoffs. The most likely option for the Jays would be to qualify as a draft team, as the Tampa Bay Rays (75-51) are also well ahead.
Toronto is a half game behind the Seattle Mariners and a game behind the Houston Astros, who have the last two playoff spots. John Schneider’s men therefore need as many wins as possible to give themselves some scope. The Boston Red Sox (66-58) will also be at the peak of the race.
“Every game is crucial as we look for a draft berth,” designated hitter Davis Schneider told Sportsnet after Saturday’s 4-3 win. You have to count every day as the last because every game is important, especially in August. These are the most difficult days, everyone is tired but you have to make an effort and hope to get out of it.
A big scare
In Sunday’s 10-3 win over the Reds, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. left the game after pinching his finger during a swing. However, Schneider, the manager of the Blue Jays, was reassuring about his star’s health.
His health is being reassessed daily and it is expected that he will recover without major consequences.
Indeed, the Blue Jays will need their entire offensive arsenal to record three wins in Baltimore. That’s good because Bo Bichette, who returned to the game during the series against the Reds, shone with a home run and two RBIs on Sunday.
Even after the game, Schneider spoke eloquently about the importance of the shortstop player for his club.
“Bo’s been out for two weeks and he’s coming back with a triple,” he said. It’s the usual bo with a home run to the opposing field. I think it’s very good for the boys.
Yusei Kikuchi (9-4) is considered the Jays’ starting player on Tuesday. He is expected to play for the Orioles against Grayson Rodriguez (3-3).