The Toronto Blue Jays got home runs from Josh Donaldson, Jose Bautista and Kevin Pillar on Friday night in a 5-3 win over the Tampa Bay Rays, and with some help clinched their first playoff berth in 22 years.
Toronto Blue Jays return to playoffs for first time in 22 years
The Blue Jays have outscored opponents by 219 runs in 2015, best in baseball.
Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports
Toronto (88-65), owners of a four-game lead in the American League East over the New York Yankees with nine games left to play, are assured of finishing ahead of the Minnesota Twins (78-75), but that's not all.
The American League West trio of the Rangers (84-69), Astros (80-74) and Angels (79-74) are fighting for a division title and at least one Wild Card spot. By magic number, the Jays needed an Angels loss to clinch a playoff spot on Friday. But that ignores the remaining schedules of those teams.
The Rangers have two games left this weekend against the Astros, then finish with four games against the Angels. If both the Angels and Astros win their remaining games, they would finish at 88-74. But the wins over the Rangers in this scenario would mean Texas loses at least 75 games, something the Blue Jays cannot do.
If Toronto loses its remaining nine games, they would finish at 88-74.
For Texas to avoid 75 losses, they need to win at least four games, meaning at least one victory has to come against the Angels or Astros, ensuring one of those teams’ 75 losses. Either way, one of the three remaining AL West teams is guaranteed to lose 75 games, meaning at a minimum the Jays will make the 2015 playoffs as a Wild Card team.
The Blue Jays haven't been to the postseason since winning back-to-back World Series' in 1992 and 1993.
Toronto has 217 home runs on the season, tops in baseball, and improved the Blue Jays’ record since the All-Star break to 43-19, also best in the majors.
The Jays are the second AL team to clinch a playoff berth, with the Kansas City Royals winning the American League Central title on Thursday night. Those two teams are fighting for the best overall record in the AL, with Kansas City (89-64) holding a one-game advantage.
The best record in the league hosts the AL Wild Card Game winner in the ALDS, while the second seed will face the other division winner. Both AL Division Series will begin on Thursday, Oct. 8.
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