The MLB playoff push is our daily look back and ahead at the post-season picture as teams position themselves for October.
Latest on the Blue Jays: After holding on for a 3-2 win over the Seattle Mariners Monday night, the Toronto Blue Jays find themselves in a tie for that first American League Wild Card spot with the Baltimore Orioles, who fell to the Boston Red Sox 5-2 on Monday.
With the Red Sox leading the AL East by 4.0 games and only 12 games left on their schedule it’s looking increasingly unlikely that the Blue Jays or Orioles will be able to catch Boston, meaning the Wild Card hunt looks crucial for both pursuing teams.
On paper Toronto’s matchup against Seattle is easier than Baltimore’s with Boston, but things don’t often go the way they’re theoretically expected to in September. So while the Blue Jays have a great chance to take top spot in the Wild Card standings, execution is still a real factor to consider and that will all begin Tuesday against Mariners starter Hisashi Iwakuma.
If the playoffs started today…
Wild Card
Blue Jays vs. Orioles
ALDS
Rangers vs. Blue Jays or Orioles
Indians vs. Red Sox
Toronto Blue Jays
Next up: Seattle Mariners
Pitching matchup: J.A. Happ vs. Hisashi Iwakuma
Boston Red Sox
Next up: Baltimore Orioles
Pitching matchup: Eduardo Rodriguez vs. Kevin Gausman
Cleveland Indians
Next up: Kansas City Royals
Pitching matchup: Edinson Volquez vs. Josh Tomlin
Detroit Tigers
Next up: Minnesota Twins
Pitching matchup: Matt Boyd vs. Hector Santiago
Texas Rangers
Next up: Los Angeles Angels
Pitching matchup: Daniel Wright vs. A.J. Griffin
Houston Astros
Next up: Oakland Athletics
Pitching matchup: Joe Musgrove vs. Sean Manaea
If the playoffs started today…
Wild Card
Mets vs. Giants or Cardinals
NLDS
Cubs vs. Mets, Giants or Cardinals
Nationals vs. Dodgers
Washington Nationals
Next up: Miami Marlins
Pitching matchup: Tanner Roark vs. Jose Fernandez
New York Mets
Next up: Atlanta Braves
Pitching matchup: Julio Teheran vs. Robert Gsellman
Chicago Cubs
Next up: Cincinnati Reds
Pitching matchup: Josh Smith vs. Jon Lester
St. Louis Cardinals
Next up: Colorado Rockies
Pitching matchup: Adam Wainwright vs. Jorge de la Rosa
Los Angeles Dodgers
Next up: San Francisco Giants
Pitching matchup: Johnny Cueto vs. Rich Hill
